Faith Daily | 3 October 2022

PRAYER of the DAY - APBA p588

Generous God,

whose hand is open

to fill all things living with plenteousness:

make us ever thankful for your goodness,

and grant that we, remembering the account

that we must one day give,

may be faithful stewards of your bounty;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GOSPEL for the Day: Luke 10: 25-37

25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” 29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

GOSPEL REFLECTION: Allan Bell

The lawyer had the right answer to his own question of what he must do to inherit eternal life. Love God with all your being and love your neighbour as yourself. Both of these are challenging and require a spirit of love in all our relationships, with our self, with God and with our neighbours.

As this familiar parable illustrates our neighbour can be anybody we encounter, especially those in need of help. The opportunities are boundless to give care, and for us to act in a spirit of Christ’s love. There are no limits or conditions placed on the support provided in the parable by the Samaritan and so it should also be with us as we travel the road of life.

There is no room for prejudice here: neighbours encountered include strangers, our enemies as well as friends and those of other races or faiths. We are to show love, mercy and grace in our relationships with all.

The support we provide in love for others should be unlimited, extending beyond any encounter with a neighbour, just as the Samaritan’s support does in the parable.

Jesus is our ultimate good Samaritan, his boundless love binding up our wounds when we are in trouble.

We all understand this parable, the challenge is to “Go and do likewise.”

FINAL PRAYER

God, forgive me when I pass by on the other side. Often selfishness or fear gets in the way of my standing for justice. But you bandage my wounds and pour on oil and wine when I am in trouble. Please make me a good Samaritan in my time and place.

Amen.