The parable of the Good Samaritan was the Gospel reading in Mass today and I had it lived out for me in the flesh.
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[/box]
Four friends came over today and exemplified the story of the Good Samaritan. They spent their entire Sunday afternoon pouring over the paperwork Hopeful Hearts had received from the IRS for the 501 c3 filing. For hours they went over every question with me and with a collaborative effort they pieced together the best responses to represent the full and complete mission of Hopeful Hearts. I sat in awe as they discussed the proper wording and searched website after website trying to find other examples to help us with our quest.
Before I knew it so much time had passed and I was due to go to Mass. Those that were Catholic in the group had already been and I had foolishly not gone thinking it wouldn’t take as long as it did. Without missing a beat they told me to go on ahead and they would continue without me.
Humbled and grateful I left them working and then sat in Mass as I heard the parable of the Good Samaritan…listening to the priest talk about how we need to extend ourselves to our neighbors, make the effort to reach out to others. All I kept thinking about were the good Samaritans sitting in my home, dedicated to getting this right so the ministry could achieve the status it deserves and have the capability to serve others in a profound way.
Thank you Jodi, Patrick, Melisa and Jen! You are God’s angels.
Being a good Samaritan can be as simple as offering a helping hand, giving a moment of your talent or treasure,being a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen. How has someone been a good Samaritan to you recently?
Blessings
Shannon