The Good Samaritan ~ by Ronnie Archer

The first reading for this Sunday was Deuteronomy 30:10-14. Moses told the people that the command of heeding the voice of the Lord and keeping HIS commandments and statutes was not too mysterious and remote. That it was "not up in the sky" or out of their reach. Fr. Andrew told us that the Kingdom of God (the treasure) is within each of us; we don't have to look for it elsewhere."

In the Gospel of Luke 10:25-37, the parable of the GOOD SAMARITAN, the scholar of the law tried to test Jesus by asking HIM what must be done to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him, "What is written in the law?" He replied: "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." Jesus replied, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." The scholar asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"

Jesus told the story of a certain man (representing mankind), who fell victim to robbers (evil in the world), as he went from Jerusalem (representing a place of peace, heaven), to Jericho (representing earth).

He was stripped and beaten and left half dead. He was passed by two people: first a priest, then a Levite; both of whom were religious elite. A Samaritan traveler, who was considered to be inferior and hated by the Jews, came upon him and was moved with compassion at the sight. He poured oil (mercy) and wine (love) on him and bandaged his wounds. Bandaging meant embracing, welcoming.

Then the Samaritan (representing Jesus Christ), put the "man" on his OWN beast and took him to the inn (the inn represents the Church). The Samaritan then paid the innkeeper with two silver coins, representing a summary of the Ten Commandments into two...LOVE of GOD and NEIGHBOR; and told the innkeeper to take care of him and if there was any additional care needed, HE would repay him..."WHEN HE COMES BACK."

We all are each other's neighbors; we ALL are to care for each other.