We are to follow the Good Samaritan’s example.
According to Vatican Radio, Pope Francis gave this advice today, Oct. 9, 2017, during his daily morning Mass in his residence Casa Santa Marta, as he reflected on the parable found in Luke’s Gospel.
The Holy Father commented on the various actors in the reading, including the priest, “a man of God”, and the Levite, “close to the law,” who the Pope pointed out, passed and did not stop for the wounded, half-dead man.
This, the Pope said, is a very common habit. «We see an ugly calamity and pass by and later read about it, painted with a bit of “scandal and sensation’, in the newspapers.»
However, he explained, the Samaritan, a pagan and sinner, did stop. «He had compassion» and helped, the Pope said.
“This is the mystery of Christ who became a servant, humbled and annihilated himself and died for us.”
«Jesus,» the Pope said, «is the Good Samaritan who invited the doctor of the law to do the same.»
When one meets Jesus, the Pontiff reminded, they should act like the Samaritan.
Pope Francis concluded, urging Christians to re-read this parable and to examine their attitude, by asking: «Do I approach and make myself a neighbor and servant to those in need like Jesus?»
