The definition of “is”.
We, the Scholars.
In today’s Gospel a Scholar of the Law, seeking to justify himself, requests that Jesus define for him who this neighbor is that he should be loving. He asks, “And who is my neighbor?” Strangely, I flashed back to Bill Clinton, when in the throes of the Monica Lewinsky scandal he told the Grand Jury, “It depends upon what your definition of “is” is.” Clinton is a pretty smart guy. So was the Scholar who tested Jesus. And so are we. We are pros when it comes to justifying ourselves.
Walk on by.
Many of us have driven by homeless men, standing at the edge of the freeway begging - I have on my way to Mass on occasion. I know what people say, ‘they are scam artists, or addicts - don’t give them money’, hence we have a sort of public justification to support our driving by. Once, in a comment section on a post about the homeless, someone justified himself for refusing to give money to street people, citing these reasons. Ironically, the same person is now asking for money from others to help him in a financial crises he is going through.
The man in the mirror.
The meditation in ‘Magnificat’ from the writings of St. Augustine on today’s Gospel, informs us that the image of the Good Samaritan is actually Christ. Christ has acted in the same manner with us. When we become conscious of Christ in this role, Augustine tells us, “And so you must beware of ever becoming conceited about your own merits. You didn’t have any, after all, when the Lord came to pick you up.”
The meaning of today’s Gospel parable changes dramatically when we place ourself in the position of the man, beaten and left for dead along the road. At the end of this Gospel passage, Jesus instructs his listener; ”Go and do likewise” - indicating that we ought to imitate the example of the Good Samaritan. Although many times we unwittingly place ourselves in the position of the Scholar, still trying to establish just who that neighbor is… Until we have the grace to realize we are really be the needy vagrant, languishing by the side of the road.
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(Read Don Marco’s meditation on today’s Gospel at Vultus Christi - it is very good. Angela Messenger as an equally good meditation which is worth the read. I should note that I edited this post later in the day - I was trying to cover too much ground in the first. This Gospel is so rich, I doubt if anyone can adequately plumb the depths of it, although I did tell Angela that I believe Mother Teresa had done so.)
July 15th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
You inspired a post.
July 16th, 2007 at 12:07 am
I’m a sap for the homeless, always giving them money. I can’t walk by someone who is begging without giving them something. But then I don’t live in a big city where they are on every street corner. And if they are using it for drugs or booze instead of food, the way I look at it is that my intentions were good. I believe them when they say they are hungry, and if they rush off to buy booze, it’s their sin, not mine.
I even used to always pick up hitchhikers, a practice that I stopped when I stated working for ambulance. I’ve been to too many assaults where the hitchhiker caused harm to the driver, so now I’m more cautious that way. It still bothers me, though, to pass someone by who needs a ride.
July 16th, 2007 at 9:05 am
Paramedicgirl - I’m with you completely - I don’t care what they do with the money. I don’t pick up hitchhikers any more either.