Many of you were touched by the POWERFUL PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN last week. We hear this Gospel only once every three years in the YEAR OF LUKE (YEAR C, Luke 10:25-37). It is one of Jesus' most famous parables. It is Jesus' answer to the Jewish scholar's question: "WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?" (see my column of last week). It teaches us how to live a Christian Life and to be saved! It is all about CHRISTIAN LOVE! GOD IS LOVE! LOVE IS GOD!

Our secular world uses the expression "Good Samaritan" for any person helping another one in need. Someone who does not believe in Christ may show love and care for people at the margin of the society, whether homeless, drug addicts or beggars. Good social workers can even be atheists proclaiming that God does not exist.

For us Christians, the Good Samaritan Story is not a social work story, it is a CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE: Jesus is teaching us how to REACH ETERNAL LIFE: we simply need to see and love Jesus in everyone we encounter, especially those in need (spiritual, emotional, financial) and when we ourselves are "in need" we should not hesitate to ask for Jesus' help. Jesus is our neighbor, and we too are his neighbor. Jesus loves each of us immensely. Jesus always wants us to be with HIM here on earth and in heaven.

As Father Jan is currently away, I had the "Joy" of preaching six times, interpreting the powerful PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARTAN. Also, many of you gave me some helpful feedback between Masses! The most humbling moment for me was my public confession that two weeks ago, while two cars in front of me had an accident, I did not stop to help out. I was like the "priest" and the "Levite" who went on the other side of the road to avoid helping the robbers' victim lying half-dead. I had no excuses. Yes, I was going to a meeting, but I could have spared five minutes. Yes, the two cars were moving slowly and that helped me to rationalize that I did not need to stop. But somebody could have been seriously injured.

How many times in our lives do we ignore those in need and think only about ourselves?

I invite all of you to open your Bible and read this parable again and again SLOWLY (Luke 10:25- 37) asking yourself: WHERE AM I? WHICH OF THE MANY CHARACTERS I REPRESENT? WHERE IS JESUS in my life? Who is my "neighbor in need" that I am ignoring? Who is my enemy that I should love? Am I too proud to ask for help when I am in need? Do I trust that Jesus will answer my prayer and send me "angels”?

I also invite you to look at the various faces of Jesus. Look at the face of Jesus suffering on the Cross. Look at the face of Jesus Divine Mercy. Look at the face of Jesus as seen on the Shroud of Turin. See how much Jesus Loves you. Trust in Him!
 

One in. Christ,

Fr. Alain