Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends,

The scholar of the law asks Jesus, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus, in His provocative wisdom, doesn't offer an immediate answer. Instead, He returns a question, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" This exchange is profound. Jesus speaks truth in terms the scholar understands, using the familiar framework of the Law to prompt the man to discover answers to his own questions. The scholar correctly identifies the core tenets: “You shall love the Lord, your God…” and “your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus affirms this, saying, "Do this and you will live." This interaction reminds us that eternal life isn't a secret formula, but a lived commitment to these foundational principles. Jesus encourages us, like the scholar, to engage actively with our faith, approaching our questions with receptive curiosity and a willingness to accept difficult truths.

However, the scholar, perhaps seeking to justify himself, presses further: "And who is my neighbor?" This seemingly simple question reveals a common human tendency to qualify and limit our obligations to God and one another. Jesus responds not with a complex theological treatise but with a powerful narrative—the Parable of the Good Samaritan. He illustrates that a man, beaten and left for dead, was ignored by those expected to help: a priest and a Levite. Both, bound by religious law, pass by. Yet, it is a Samaritan, historically outcast by many Judeans due to their mixed heritage and differing religious practices, who stops.

The Samaritan’s actions are a radical example of neighborly love, deeply rooted in mercy. He is "moved with compassion" at the injured man's sight. This compassion translates into care: attending to wounds, transporting him, and even covering his expenses. This parable shatters the scholar's preconceived notions of who "deserves" compassion. The Samaritan embodies the very love the scholar initially articulated, demonstrating that true love of neighbor is an act of boundless mercy. We are called to "go and do likewise," extending our compassion and mercy beyond our comfort zones, beyond those who look or believe as we do, to truly embrace all humanity as our neighbors.

-Victoria Miller, Drexel Alum