The image is so clear in my mind - the Good Samaritan story is so familiar that I seem to forget what led up to it - another smart guy testing Jesus. As usual, Jesus is ready for it and tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. What was the test? Two parts: “ Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” and, having answered correctly, the smart guy pushes Jesus further: “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus then replies with the parable of the Good Samaritan, a story which includes political, cultural, and religious perspectives.
The route from Jerusalem to Jericho is known as The Way of Blood because of the violence encountered frequently by travelers along the 9-hour walk. A poor soul has been attacked and probably robbed. He lies bloody, “half dead, stripped and beaten” by the side of the road. Along comes a priest, who, upon seeing the bloody victim, crosses to the other side of the road. The rules say that if he touches blood, he will be defiled. The rules win over charity. Next comes a Levite. Same thing. crosses over to the other side.
Then, ta-da, comes a Samaritan, a non-Jew who is despised by Jews. The Samaritan is moved with compassion. He goes way out of his way, losing a day on his journey in order to care for the injured man. He dresses the wounds with oil and wine, probably costly, loads him on his donkey, and takes him to an inn and cares for him, giving the innkeeper money to further care for him should he need it, promising to repay any excess on his return trip.
Of course, the wise guy gets the point - the neighbor is the one who treats the wounded man with mercy.
I reviewed the cast of characters and asked myself:
Who do I see as the victim in my life, in today’s society? The homeless encampment I pass on my way to daily Mass? The woman refused care for her children so she can work to provide food for them? The one passed over for a job unjustly? The one shot in our society bent on revenge?
Who do I see as the priest? The one to whom rules trump charity? (touching human or animal blood makes one ritually impure)
Who do I see as the Levite? Probably the same rules held him back. What rules do I use to avoid acts of charity?
Who do I cast as the Samaritan? Who do I see as “foreign, other, to be avoided, despised”?
What figure in politics, my society, my religion could be cast as the victim, priest, Levite, or Samaritan?
A poor immigrant seeking safety is found bloody and near death by the side of the road. She looks dark-skinned, or maybe it’s just the blood. Too scary. I pass by. Don’t want to get involved. Miraculously, she rises, picks up her cross, looks at me with compassion, embraces me, and moves on.
Suzanne Braddock
Creighton University and I are old friends, first as a medical resident in a program shared with The University of Nebraska then forty plus years as a parishioner at St John’s, the campus church. Now retired from a gratifying but busy medical practice I enjoy the quiet hours and nature.
Writing these reflections is a challenge and a grace, bringing me closer to the meaning of the Scriptures and the love God wants us to understand.
