Luke 10:25-37
Last Sunday’s reading is about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The tale is an intriguing parable because it starts with the exchange of ideas between Jesus and the lawyer known as the scribe. Their conversation is about how to inherit eternal life, to which Jesus replied that one must love God with their soul, mind, and heart. Jesus has extensive knowledge of the Torah because he summarized it based on what is written in the Torah, which contains 613 commandments (mitzvot).
Both have extensive knowledge of how to deal with eternal life by loving God with your soul, mind, and heart. They have commonality in dealing with eternal life by keeping it in our spirit, mind, and heart. Without living through this, our faith is wasted.
Therefore, the lawyer was imminently embarrassed because Jesus asked him to live by those 613 (mitzvot) commandments. That’s why he asked a new question about who my neighbor was. The question intends to show how to practice those inherent laws of eternal life. And Jesus narrates the story of the parable of the helpful Samaritan.
In this parable, there are four characters: the victim, the robber, the Levite, and the priest, and the Samaritan. Each of these characters has distinct principles in life. The victim symbolizes the poorest people in the world. The robber believed that your property was mine, which many politicians have in common today. Therefore, the Levite and the priest believed that you owned your life and property, while I owned my own. Today’s younger generations are practicing this belief. In contrast, the Samaritan demonstrates exceptional belief by sharing his property. Whatever he had, he shared it with the victims and brought them to the inn. Also, he asked the innkeeper to take care of the victim.
The world today needs more Good Samaritans. Many people in today’s world struggle with poverty. They need help to feed themselves and their children. When considering the characteristics of the Good Samaritan, a person has more freedom to share their resources without reservation. A space to help is a common trait that must develop for eternal life.
Even if we obey God’s commandment without practicing it, our faith is useless. Following God’s commandment activates our spirit, mind, and heart. Then let us use our spirit, mind, and heart to help, especially the poor. Our spirit empowers us in seeking the truth (John 4:24) and helps us to strengthen our weaknesses. In the Old Testament, the word “mind” is commonly translated to “heart.” Meanwhile, in the New Testament and according to Greek, the word “kardia” (heart) is translated to “mind.” Vice versa, the mind-heart is a closely integrated human organ.
Spirit, mind, and heart are concerned with God, but this concern is primarily focused on human issues. In such a way, the concern of Jesus in seeking eternal life is that humans must have concern for whatever human issues arise. This is what the Good Samaritan did; he used his spirit, mind, and heart to help the victim.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, please provide us strength to be concerned with human issues. We need to multiply our deeds in the same way that the Good Samaritan did. I hope that through teaching and guidance, we can change this wicked world into your kingdom. May the presence of Your Holy Spirit pour Your power unto us. Amen.
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Prof. Ruel D. Garcia is a theology professor at La Consolacion University Philippines as well as the former editor-in-chief of the International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion (IJCHR.paschr.ph).
