Fifteen Sunday C in Ordinary Time Luke 10,25-37

Jesus says to the knower of the law in the Gospel: “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

These are the last words spoken by the Lord Jesus at the end of the parable of the Good Samaritan. “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37), only Jesus can rightly say, and to every man, yesterday, today and tomorrow. Jesus not only speaks of love for God and neighbor, and not only teaches this love, but his life, his every word and deed are a witness to this love. He knows the words that God the Father already says in the Old Testament about who is man’s neighbor, that it is not only a member of one’s own nation, but every person whom you love as yourself (cf. Lev. 19:34). God even commands His people to love even their enemies (cf. Ex. 23:4-9). Jesus reminds us that our neighbor is every person, regardless of color, language, nation, age, or gender. Today we know why Jesus died. We are to see Jesus in the merciful Samaritan. Jesus took care of every person. He died for us. In the parable we can see Jesus’ love and learn the words, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

We could express it in ten points:
1) The Samaritan comes to the wounded. Jesus comes into the world.
2) The Samaritan looks at the wounded. Jesus took on the nature of man.
3) The Samaritan is excited by the condition of the man who has fallen into the hands of the robbers. Jesus knows the consequences of the sin that our grandparents committed and that we commit.
4) The Samaritan comes even closer to the man. Jesus acts as a Teacher to remind people of what God has already made known through the prophets and to explain to them the new things necessary for salvation.
5) The Samaritan heals the wounds of the wounded man. Jesus acts as a physician not only of the body but also of the soul.
6) The Samaritan unloads the man on his cattle. Jesus takes the straying sheep, every sinner, on his shoulders.
7) The Samaritan led the man to the inn. Jesus promises his kingdom to every man who perseveres.
8) The Samaritan cared for the man. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to each of us who will remind us of all things and teach us all things that He Himself taught us.
9) The Samaritan took out two denari and gave them to the innkeeper. Jesus paid the Father’s debt for us.
10) The Samaritan makes a promise to the innkeeper: If you spend more, I will pay you when I return. Jesus promises to reward every good deed, word, and thought at the hour of our death.
These words say that this is not a momentary matter, but the parable speaks of our eternity, which has already begun and which we decide by our attitude towards God, our neighbor, and ourselves. That is why Jesus asks not only the knower of the law, but also us, “What is written in the law? How do you read there?” (Lk 10:26). It would be wrong if we did not know these words, but worse if we knew them and did not keep them, and worse still if we tempted our God. Therefore, we should carry these words in our hearts, keep them on our foreheads, and live them. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (Lk 10:27). The problem of “Who is my neighbor” is clearly and comprehensibly explained by Jesus when he points to the priest and the Levite who rob, disregard the command, and do not serve the person in need. We cannot choose our neighbor, rather they choose us when they need something and we can help them.

My neighbor. It’s not just about who my neighbor is, it’s about who I am a neighbor to. That is, who is close to me, who needs me, to whom I can and should show my service of love. The address “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37) is to be carried out faithfully, honestly, responsibly, and without claim to the earthly reward. Jesus Himself, in the Sermon on the Mount, gives instructions for the implementation of the address. Our task is to be poor in spirit, weepers, meek, hungry, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, advocates of righteousness, and also to be able to endure reproach and persecution (cf. Mt. 5:3-11). When we fulfill this, we will not be the priest or the Levite of the parable.
The television station invited viewers to come to the studio and tell their personal experiences of helping a neighbor on camera. What these participants did not know, however, was that they would be put to the test right there in the studio in front of hidden cameras. However, they were urged to prepare well. People took the preparation from the side of having rehearsed the text – which they wanted to say in front of the camera – well. In the atrium of the studio, the editors staged a skit that someone had passed out, had a seizure and needed help. The big surprise was that these people did not stop at the person who required help, did not help, but rushed into the studio to give their reports on the love of their neighbor.

In fact, Jesus addresses us that we should be able to draw closer to one another, to feel love for one another, which manifests itself differently in different situations, and yet enriches one and the other. To sacrifice life for another is most beautiful, already here on earth and pleases God. And so in the Gospel, we get the answer to the question that the lawyer asked Jesus. The Evangelist St. Luke notes that the expert asked to tempt

Jesus. It is up to each of us to live in such a way that we will one day be heirs of eternal life. We don’t want to acquire the disease of insensitivity to the needs of our neighbors. Coldness, disinterest, fear of people, and running away from our neighbors cause pain on both sides. On the contrary, Jesus in the Gospel addresses us to open our hearts to our neighbors. It is beautiful to realize that loving the other is a beautiful response to love.
Are we surprised that the driver did not stop at the accident? That driver may be a doctor who heals, a teacher who teaches, a priest who administers the sacraments, or a father who rushes to his family. And in this situation, they will not help. We are surprised that they live several kilometers apart, and they do not visit each other, although they meet on the street, they greet each other… and even blood ties, friendship ties, beautiful experiences…
Today’s Gospel is actually a memento, a call, a drumbeat of alarm or a cry for rescue. Let us stop in our haste, let us take time, let us forget what was wrong…

St. John wrote of God: “God is love” (1 Jn 4:8). And so it is right that we take up the challenge of God today: “Go and do likewise” (Lk 10:37). We realize that we need to behave like the Good Samaritan. It is right that we see and hear when someone in our neighborhood is suffering, lonely, in need and there is no one to come and help.
The priest in the class was having difficulty with the disciples and that’s when he asked them the question: “Boys, where does God dwell?” The boys laughed: “What were you thinking?” One of the apprentices spoke up from the classroom. The priest looked silently at the boys. They quieted down. To this the priest gives himself a loud answer in front of the boys, “God dwells where people let him in.”
Jesus “the Samaritan” did not come just to redeem and save us. Jesus wants to be with us. Let’s let him come into our lives where we live our troubles, our inconveniences, our… Jesus “the Samaritan” stands at the door of our heart and knocks.
To the doctor who operated on the man’s ailing heart and later died, the daughter of the deceased, among other things, writes in a letter to express her gratitude for his efforts and willingness in saving her father’s life: “Doctor! You held in your hand and saw my father’s heart, which loved every man. The heart has conquered, but my father’s love is remembered by many. He is an inspiration for us to follow him in spreading love.”
Today we thank Jesus for his love, which we are also convinced of in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus had his heart pierced out of love for us. He died, but rose from the dead. Today it is a memento that, inspired by his love, we should love God above all else and our neighbor as ourselves.
Our neighbors need love. What would it profit us to memorize all of Scripture if we did not serve our neighbors? We know that love is best known by actions. Love cannot be learned from textbooks. There is no recipe for love. Let us simply love where we are supposed to love. The world today requires Samaritans too. Maybe at least as much as a person requires a glass of water.

How many Samaritans are there in our neighborhood who are not talked about, not written about, but whose love is felt. God is counting on each one of us.