Go and do likewise
 Most
straightforward parable of Jesus. The
main theme of the parable is Compassion, it
needs no explanation. Compassion should be
showed to others irrespective of colour,
caste, creed, or any other difference.
 Jesus makes strong accusation on two elite
classes of people who are expected to show
compassion but failed to do it.
 A Samaritan, someone who is least expected
to show compassion goes out of his way to
show compassion, thus breaking all prejudice.
 The
name Samaritan becomes synonym for
all that is done with the motive of charity.
 The Levite and the priest might have asked
themselves, “What will happen to me if I
stop?” But the Samaritan had asked himself,
“What will happen to the wounded man if I
don’t stop?”
 Compassion is putting the other person more
important than oneself. The unconcerned
people put their duty, position, and status
before the needy person.
 The Samaritan was interested only on what
he has to do next. For the Levite and the
priest what will happen to them next was
more important.
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Compassion means
sympathy, empathy
concern, kindness,
consideration, care and
antonym is coldness or
indifference.
Compassion arises from humanness; part of being
human, an inherent quality of being a human being.
Devoid of compassion is being inhuman, loss of our
human nature.
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.
Without them, humanity cannot survive. (Dalai Lama)
The action of understanding, being aware of, being
sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the
feelings, thoughts, and experience…
 Spirituality
addresses qualities of the human
spirit that include love, compassion,
patience, tolerance, forgiveness, a sense of
responsibility, which bring happiness to self
and other. It as well includes a basic concern
for the well-being of others.
 There is no spirituality without compassion.
 Love of God cannot be devoid of love for
neighbour; they make the two greatest
commandments.
 Christ often puts himself as a needy person.
 It
is often “none of my business”.
 It could be “looking for problems”.
 It is putting oneself into risk, even a
permanent risk.
 It is messy business.
 It disrupts normal life.
 It is a thankless job.
 In the modern times a “a good neighbour” is
one who minds his own business.
 It is much safer, and far easier, to close your
heart and go quietly by on the other side of
the road.
 As
a Samaritan, he was not expected to help a
Jew. Often he is economically and socially not
in a position to help.
 Now for this Samaritan, his social and
economical status had nothing to do with his
human quality of being compassionate.
 Often we are “compassionate” only after
knowing the status of the person who is in need.
 SAMARITAN
- the stone rejected by elders
 Jerusalem to Jericho – from paradise to sin
 Among robbers – temptations and clutches
of the devil
 Stripped him – devoid of graces
 Priest – the rituals of the Old Testament
 Levite – the laws and commandments
 Journeyed – a purposeful mission
 Came where he was – his incarnation
 Saw...
Had compassion –
his salvific mission
 Oil and wine – Baptismal
Anointing and Eucharist
 His beast – his cross
 Inn – the Church
 Two denarii – Gospels and St. Paul’s
Epistles
 Innkeeper – St. Peter and his successors
 Come back – the second coming
 Empathy
can be very costly; it may even cost
you your life. However, only in willingly
embracing the dangers and injuries of caring,
will you find healing and happiness for yourself
and for others. There is no better way.