It is easy to become a slogan-Christian. Familiarity can become over-familiarity and over-familiarity can make us take things for granted before it breeds contempt. Luke was addressing his gospel to Christians who have become so familiar with their faith that there were already some who were practically hypocritical: they easily mouthed Scriptures but do not live them. They have become slogan-Christians, quick-tongued, but slow in giving substance to their faith. The parable of the Good Samaritan is a challenge for this type of believers; Jesus forces them to re-think something familiar and live accordingly.
Read the following articles and use the rest of the page as your guide for reflection.
- Workshop: Being Neighbor to Someone (Luke 10:24-37)
- Mag-aral Tayo: Ang Talinghaga ng Mabuting Samaritano
1. Let us start with an exercise. Make a list of as many people you dislike; they should be people you meet each day. After making the list, check which among those listed the person (s) you have shown some act of kindness and identify the act of kindness you did for that person. After making the prescribed modification, ask yourself honestly: "Have I loved my neighbor with the same love I give myself"?
2. Of the three characters in the parable, it was the hated Samaritan who was neighbor to the man waylaid by robbers. He was the one who showed compassion. And he showed compassion by doing more than was necessary for the dying man.
Reflect: Have you done anything similar to someone who dislikes you?
3. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan in relation to the question: "How may I attain eternal life"? "Eternal life" is life with God or to be more precise: it is life characterized by wholeness, completeness and stability guaranteed by the immediate presence of God.
Reflect: Your enemy, the person you dislike or even hate is -- in a way -- your ticket to eternal life. By being neighbor to him/her, the Lord Himself guarantees you eternal life. "Do this and you shall live", he says. Go back to your list. How will you live with those people from now on?
