"The Samaritan represents Christ himself, who showed mercy to us, the wounded, and healed us with the oil of grace and the wine of redemption."
Saint John Chrysostom
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to the Apostle and Evangelist Saint Luke (Lk 10:25-37)
At that time, a doctor of the law stood up to test him: «Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?». Jesus told him: «What is written in the Law? What do you read?». He replied: «You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and your next as yourself». And Jesus: «You answered well; do this and you will live».
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus: «And who is my neighbour?». Jesus resumed:
A man came down from Jerusalem to Jericho and ran into the robbers who stripped him, beat him and then left, leaving him half dead. By chance, a priest went down that same road and when he saw him he passed across. A Levite also came to that place and saw him and passed by. Instead, a Samaritan, who was traveling, passing by saw him and had compassion for him. He came to him, wrapped his wounds, poured oil and wine on them, and then loaded him over his jug, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he took out two dinars and gave them to the hotelier, saying: Take care of him and what you will spend more, I will repay you on my return. 36 Which of these three seems to you to have been the neighbour of him who stumbled upon the robbers?». He replied: «Who has taken pity on him». Jesus told him: «Go and do the same».
Reflection
Dear brothers and sisters, peace and good!
This Sunday, the Holy Church of God invites us to reflect on a passage of the Gospel according to Luke, chapter 10, verses 25 to 37.
It is the parable of the Good Samaritan, a story that challenges us and teaches us profound truths about compassion, love, and our responsibility to our neighbour.
In the passage, an expert in the law asks Jesus how to obtain eternal life. Jesus, always wise in his answers, guides him towards the knowledge of the Law:
"Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
To deepen, the man asks: "And who is my neighbor?" And Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate the meaning of "neighbour" in the love of neighbour.
In the story a man is robbed and left half dead along the way. A priest and a Levite, both men respected and observant of the Law, see him but pass over. Then comes a Samaritan, a man belonging to a people considered a foreigner and adversary by the listeners of Jesus.
But who are the Levites?
The Levites were one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descendants of Levi, one of the sons of Jacob (Israel). In the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi played a particular role within the social order and were associated primarily with the services of the Temple and religious activities. They did not receive a portion of land when the land of Canaan was divided among the tribes, but they received designated cities and surrounding lands (dust off the Book of Joshua).
The Levites were responsible for the transportation, care, and assembly of the Tabernacle during the desert age. Later, under Solomon’s reign, they were involved in the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.
They had various functions within the Temple, including singing, music, keeping the Temple, and assisting in ritual sacrifices. Some of them held the priestly role, but the main priestly line was the descendants of Aaron, brother of Moses, known as priests or kohanim. Although all kohanim were Levites, not all Levites were kohanim. The main difference was that only the descendants of Aaron could officiate as priests during the sacrifices in the Temple.
The Levites were also responsible for teaching the Law of Moses to the people.
Why in this parable, dear brothers, does Our Lord Jesus Christ mention them?
The fact that the priest and the Levite, religious figures respected, ignore the needy highlights the lack of compassion and love of neighbour.
Jesus, by introducing the Levites into the parable, may have wished to emphasize the theme of moral responsibility and social justice. The crowd that followed Jesus, often composed of Jews who deeply respected religious figures, would have found it surprising that a priest and a Levite avoided helping the man in difficulty.
Returning to the story, the Samaritan not only stops but also heals the wounds of the man, takes him to a shelter and pays for his recovery.
The fundamental lesson is that neighbour is not determined by race, religion or social status. Whoever needs our compassion is next.
Today, in our world, many people are wounded and abandoned along the path of life. We can ask ourselves: are we like the priest and the Levite, passing indifferent to the sufferings of others, or are we ready to stop and extend a compassionate hand? What or what are the concerns that prevent us from seeing our brother suffering?
The Good Samaritan, through his example, teaches us that the love of neighbour goes beyond barriers and differences. Jesus invites us to overcome prejudices and to see the common humanity in everyone.
In addition, the Samaritan uses the resources at his disposal to help the needy. This reminds us that it is not only goodwill that makes the difference, but also concrete action.
Let us reflect on our daily lives. Who is our neighbour? How can we be good Samaritans in our community, in our family, among our friends?
This parable, which we have heard, is a call to active compassion, an invitation to see the need of our neighbour and to respond with love.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, this central theme of love, compassion, and unity in the body of Christ is reflected in Saint Paul’s Letter to Ephesians 4:1-6.
In his Epistle, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to live a life worthy of the call to which they have been called, walking with humility, meekness, and patience, enduring each other with love. The apostle emphasizes the importance of unity in the body of Christ and the spiritual bond that unites all believers.
In his Epistle, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to live a life worthy of the call to which they have been called, walking with humility, meekness, and patience, enduring each other with love. The apostle emphasizes the importance of unity in the body of Christ and the spiritual bond that unites all believers.
The link between these two readings can be highlighted in the following ways:
1. Call to Love and Compassion: Both passages emphasize the importance of living a life of love and compassion for others. Paul exhorts believers to endure each other with love, while the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates practical love for anyone in need of help, regardless of their origin.
2. Unity in the Body of Christ: The Letter to the Ephesians speaks of unity in the Body of Christ, highlighting the spiritual connection between believers. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows how practical love and compassion contribute to building bridges and uniting people beyond cultural and social divisions.
3. Next like any person in need: Both steps emphasize that the next one is not limited by predefined categories but includes anyone who needs help. Paul speaks of unity in Christ, while Jesus, through the parable, broadens the definition of neighbour beyond the cultural and social categories of the time.
Beloved brothers, we are preparing to live the time of Advent, also called "St Philip’s Period", to be able to prepare ourselves worthily for the Holy Christmas of Our Lord by reflecting on His coming into the world, both in His birth in Bethlehem and in His return at the end of time.
During this period, the Orthodox liturgy includes prayers and hymns that reflect on the expectation of the Messiah and the preparation of the human heart to receive him. This period is also marked by penance, fasting and prayer.
The Orthodox Church emphasizes the eschatological aspect of Advent, recalling the future coming of Christ. Biblical readings during this period often focus on Christ’s coming and the need to watch, pray and spiritually prepare for his return.
The link between the Advent period and the Gospel passage of Luke 10:25-37, the parable of the Good Samaritan, can be traced back to the central theme of preparation, expectation, and compassionate love.
The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 is a narrative that draws attention to compassion and practical love of neighbour. In the context of preparing for the coming of Christ, this parable offers a powerful teaching on the nature of Christian love and can be understood in these ways:
1. Preparation of the heart: As the Samaritan takes care of his wounded neighbour, Advent invites Christians to prepare their hearts to welcome Christ.
2. Compassionate love: The parable emphasizes the importance of showing practical love and compassion towards others. In Advent, all of us who profess to be Christians are called to reflect on how we can incarnate this love in our daily lives, thus preparing ourselves for the deeper meaning of Christ’s coming.
3. Overcoming barriers: The parable of the Good Samaritan overcomes social and cultural barriers. In Advent, the Church reflects on the universal message of salvation brought by Jesus, which overcomes every barrier and calls everyone to the one true Love.
In short, the link between Advent and the parable of the Good Samaritan is based on interior preparation, compassionate love, and an awareness of the need to overcome barriers to welcome the Messiah who is coming. Both call us to a deep and transformative commitment to our neighbour, reflecting the true meaning of Advent.
Over the centuries many Fathers of the Church have dealt with the theme of charity, love of neighbour and compassion, thus commenting on today’s parable.
The Fathers emphasize the universality of Christian charity, indicating that love and compassion should know no limits or boundaries, not even ethnic or social ones.
"The Good Samaritan is the one who takes care of the wounded, showing practical love. Christ teaches us that we must love our neighbour not only with feelings, but also with actions."
Saint Gregory the Great (about 540-604 AD)
Other Fathers see theological symbols in the parable, with the journey of the wounded man representing fallen humanity, the Samaritan helping him symbolizing Christ, and housing as the Church healing spiritual wounds.
"Christ is the true Samaritan who, having seen humanity wounded and abandoned, came to rescue us and heal us."
Saint Jerome (347-420 A.D.)
The Fathers often emphasize the call to action, encouraging Christians to imitate the behavior of the Good Samaritan, showing practical love and compassion for anyone in need of help.
"The Good Samaritan is the Savior, the Christ, who showed us compassion and mercy when we were spiritually wounded and abandoned."
Saint Ambrose of Milan (about 339-397 AD)
Dear brothers in Christ, this Sunday is the Feast of St John Chrysostom. He was an influential Christian bishop and theologian of the early centuries. Born around 349 A.D. in Antioch (present-day Turkey), John is best known for his eloquence and sermons, which is why he was called "Chrysostom," meaning "mouth of gold" in Greek.
John Chrysostom was ordained a priest in 386 A.D. and later became bishop of Constantinople in 398 A.D. His preaching and teaching attracted much attention, but also opposition from some influential members of the Church.
The fame of John Chrysostom derives mainly from his extraordinary ability as an orator and preacher. His sermons were admired for clarity, theological depth, and his ability to connect with the audience. Many of his homilies focus on biblical and moral themes.
John Chrysostom contributed significantly to the development of Christian theology. His theology was based on Scripture and the apostolic tradition. He also addressed moral and social issues, promoting Christian love and charity towards the needy.
Because of his open criticism of the nobility and corrupt clergy, John Chrysostom aroused dislike from some powerful ecclesiastical figures. He was deposed several times and eventually exiled in 404 AD, dying in 407 AD.
Despite the difficulties and exile, the influence of John Chrysostom persists. He is considered one of the Fathers of the Eastern and Western Churches and was canonized by both the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.
John Chrysostom left a vast corpus of works, including biblical commentaries, homilies, letters, and treatises. His homilies on Genesis, the Psalms and the Gospels are particularly famous.
In summary, Saint John Chrysostom is a figure of great importance in the history of the Christian Church, appreciated both for his oratorical ability and for his theological and moral contribution.
My brothers and disciples of the Lord, I know that recognizing our neighbour implies an open and compassionate vision towards others. The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches that the next is not limited to the people we know or are like but embraces anyone who needs help.
Therefore, let us pray during this Holy Time to the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, so that we can actively observe what is happening around us and try to understand the challenges and needs of others.
That inflames our hearts to give us the strength and determination to put ourselves in the shoes of others and try to understand their emotions and their experiences overcoming stereotypes and prejudices, trying to understand the diversity and richness that it brings.
The recognition of the next translates into concrete actions. Being willing to extend a helping hand to the needy, to care for others, and to contribute to the welfare of the community are tangible ways to recognize our neighbor.
In this perspective of love and compassion for others, I would like to share with you the story of my conversion to the Orthodox faith, a journey that has transformed my life in ways that are unimaginable.
Many of you know the deep well of your soul, a well that we often try to fill with the fleeting joys of the world. I, for a long time, have lived in this state, seeking meaning and purpose in material things and in superficial relationships. My soul, however, felt a void that no earthly conquest could fill.
It was in one of those moments of deep inner searching that I first felt the presence of God in my life. It was as if the Lord himself approached my heart, touching it with an ineffable grace. My spirit’s eyes began to open, and I gradually realized that the true fullness of life is found only in the love of God.
My journey of conversion has not been without obstacles. Like the waves trying to break on a rocky shore, my life was often tormented by fears and resistance. However, the Lord Jesus, with his infinite mercy, has always overcome every barrier. It has filled the well of my person with its purifying grace, bringing light in the deepest shadows of my soul.
On this journey, I learned that the Orthodox faith is not only a series of beliefs, but a life transformed by the Holy Spirit. I learned to love my neighbor as myself, to forgive those who hurt me, and to seek God’s will in every aspect of my life.
Today, looking back, I can say with certainty that my conversion to the Orthodox faith was the turning point that filled my life with meaning. The well of my soul is now filled with a joy and peace that surpass all human understanding. I invite each one of you to reflect on your own life and to consider the possibility of being open to the transforming grace of God, so that in him we can truly find the fullness of life.
In this journey of reflection and acceptance of divine grace, let us raise our prayers together during this Holy Time. Let us turn with confidence to the Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, so that she may guide us in our effort to actively observe what is happening around us. We can thus discern the challenges and needs of others, responding with love and compassion to the needs of our community and the world. In this way, our faith becomes alive and active, transforming not only our lives, but also the world around us.
O Blessed, All Holy and Always Virgin Mary, Mother of God, help us to improve our listening. Make us attentive to the needs, concerns, and experiences of others to continue to live with empathy by becoming good Samaritans, bringing the light of love and compassion, acting in a loving way towards everyone who crosses our path.
May the Lord’s blessing come upon you, fill you with his endless Love and remain with you always.
Amen
Have a good walk!
Archdeacon Michele Alberto Del Duca.
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