Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 13/14, 2019
In today’s Gospel passage from Luke, we read the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. Here, Jesus teaches us in rich detail how stewardship in action looks. In fact, this parable could just as accurately be called the parable of the Good Steward.
The first thing we note about the Good Samaritan is that he is aware of the needs of those around him and responds generously. While the priest and Levi brush right past the man on the side of the road, the Samaritan is watching for those who might be in need. He has a hospitable way of looking at the world around him, and so, he is able to “see” in a way that the others did not. He was “moved with compassion at the sight” of the man.
Next, we see the Good Samaritan spring into action to serve this man, setting aside his own schedule and plans in order to meet the man's needs. He does not just give the man a few dollars or offer some quick words of encouragement from across the road. He goes right up to the man. He cleans and bandages his wounds. He puts the man on his animal and brings him to an inn where he can heal. He ensures that the innkeeper would continue to look after him, and he commits to returning to the man on his way back.
That is how we live out God’s commandments. That is genuine hospitality and service. That is how a good steward springs into action when he comes upon a neighbor in need. Moreover, Jesus says to each of us personally, just as He did in today’s Gospel, “Go and do likewise.”
