Reflection for Monday, October 6, 2003: 27th week in Ordinary Time.
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Authors
Kuhlman, Thomas A.
Issue Date
2003-10-06
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Essay
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en_US
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Abstract
The phrase "Good Samaritan" is a cliche. The concept "Love they neighbor" inspires everyone, it seems, judging from week-end news broadcasts with their stories of runs, walkathons, and charity dinners. Especially on Jesuit campuses, we hardly need to be told any longer that service is a prime commandment after loving God himself.|| A few days after first reflecting on this Gospel, I happened to be visiting a friend who belongs to his parish's prayer chain. I noticed on his desk the list of half a dozen or so people he and other members of the chain were to pray for that week. Only first names were listed, each followed by a few words expressing the reason for their need for prayer -- Jim, Randy, Marge, Cindy, Gus and Barbara -- and then Paul. Suddenly I realized that I knew Paul. Both at home, at work and even with someone at the supermarket my wife and I had been talking about Paul's upcoming surgery.| Now I was interested in my friend's prayer chain, which I had been regarding up to then as a sweet and pious gesture but not really my kind of devotion. Paul needed my prayers. He was a man I liked very much. We had a lot in common. I liked his attitude towards his young family. I envied his skill at gardening and his creativity in barbecuing. Almost desperately I wanted him to come through this operation and share in good times with his friends again. His was a name on the list I'd surely pray hard for.|Then suddenly I remembered Jesus's story of the Good Samaritan. The Samaritan did not help the robbers' victim because the victim was a good friend, or because the victim had admirable talents or was fun to be with. He was merely a human being and a child of God.| That week I prayed for Jim, Randy, Marge, Cindy, Gus and Barbara. I know none of them. This over-familiar story of the Good Samaritan, this supposedly trite teaching of our Lord will in fact never go stale so long as brothers and sisters whom I may never meet are in need. I thank Jesus for telling me this story, so that I may follow Him in holding in my thoughts, prayers -- and actions -- not only those I know well but all the members of the human family.
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University Ministry, Creighton University.
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These reflections may not be sold or used commercially without permission. Personal or parish use is permitted.
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Lectionary number: 461