February 10, 2012 Bill Mulcahy Bill's previous articles
Parable
of the Good Samaritan
Each
Wednesday at my school I lead the school community of primary-aged children in a
weekly liturgy in my role as the APRE. During this term we are discovering the
parables. I so love Jesus’ parables, as they are a great teaching tool, with a
simple message for all of us.
So
today we explored the Good Samaritan story. What are the connections for us? And
how do we, as Jesus intended, use it in real-life experiences. We are familiar
with the story, the characters, the traveller, the priest, the Levite, the
robbers and the Samaritan. The events unfolded on the hilly, dusty,
So
when we think of the traveller as one of our earthly brothers that is doing
things a bit tough,
a victim of poverty on the ‘road’ of life,
or are we:
·
A
robber: do we take advantage of them on the ‘road’ of life. Do we exploit
those living in poverty for our won gain?
·
The
priest: are we only concerned with our own affairs? Do we choose to not get our
hands dirty because of our standing/reputation?
·
The
Levite: Do we simply pass by on the ‘road’? Oblivious to what is going on?
Can we simply ignore?
·
The
Samaritan: Are we compassionate to those we encounter on the ‘road’ of life?
Do we show God’s love to the broken and bruised, the hopeless and the
abandoned?
People who were supposed to love walked right around the traveller.
Through this parable Jesus
told us that the Samaritan was the real loving person. He was willing to get his
hands dirty.
On
our ‘road’ of life we have many opportunities to be the Samaritan.
Yes, I
understand, I get it, I have been blessed enough to care.
Being Catholic is
truly amazing. It is about Kata Holis; being of service to others, ‘you are
welcome’ is our catch cry.