|
|
|
Advertise With Us
|
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time One of the classic images in a catalogue of stained glass art is that of the good Samaritan. Along with the prodigal son, and Jesus blessing the children, the good Samaritan is one of the most commonly produced artistic scenes. Within 125 years of the first printed English Bibles the term "good Samaritan" came to have the figurative sense referring to anyone helping a stranger in distress. Interestingly, the Biblical text never uses the word "good" to describe the Samaritan. He is referred to as "neighbor" to the man who fell victim to robbers. Yet if someone refers to a person as a good Samaritan, we know instantly what is meant. As we've all heard before, the Samaritans were considered outcasts by the Jews at the time of Jesus, because they worshipped on Mt. Gerizim rather than in Jerusalem. There were tensions between Jews and Samaritans that even escalated to violence that had to be quelled by Roman occupiers. So it was a very pretty picture when the lawyer questioned Jesus finds himself having to admit that it was the Samaritan who treated the robber's victim with mercy. What is our own understanding of who is our neighbor in the present day? The parable is such an enduring tale that its meaning has slipped into our common language. But that has happened at the expense of the story's punch line, and it is one that packs a real punch! Who are the outcasts or despised in our day? What class of people have we found it difficult to accept? Or whom might we find it easy to denigrate? The homeless? Immigrants? Muslims? Someone else? What if they were the Samaritan? Would we love the story so much if Jesus asked us today, "Which of these , in your opinion was the neighbor?" How would we answer?
©2010 St. Mary of Mount Virgin Church.org Prepared by Digital Pro Quo LLC
|
