There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:25-37 (NABRE)
The call to love all as neighbor can be answered in any situation, no matter how extreme or seemingly trivial.
Jesus invites us to choose to radically love. This is an adventurous and prepared love, one that is ready to help us adapt and respond to whatever life throws at us. The Samaritan traveler probably did not plan on rescuing a dying victim of robbery and assault when he set out for his journey. This is why it is so important to make a daily habit of practicing love. As they say, practice makes perfect. The grace of God can lead us to be able practitioners of Christian love. Thus we can be ready when unforeseen circumstances arise that require our action. It may not look like being the first person to find and look after a victim of violence until professional help arrives. It could look like answering a midnight phone call from a friend in a crisis situation who is asking for advice or desperately seeking words of hope or affirmation. These actions require us to get outside of ourselves, which is often a monumental task. Regular prayer, reading of Holy Scripture, examination of conscience and resolution to change, and participation in the life of the Church aid us in being these prepared workers of love.
Love must be an ongoing habit! Our regular attention to those who we know are going through a rough patch is just as important. So is checking in on those people who we think are doing fine. Help has many appearances, and it could be as simple as an invitation to Mass! Invitations are so powerful. We are our brother’s keeper. Being attentive to others’ spiritual needs is of such great importance.
Thank you for reading. Peace.
Eat the Scroll 