Daily Samaritan Compassion “Seek to go the extra step...”
(07-11-2010)
The Good Samaritan Story so familiar to us. We more than likely have heard all sorts of homilies or read/heard reflections --about the famous parable of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. Maybe it has become so familiar and the reflection themes so often repeated that we may miss a part of the meaning. Often, themes linked to the story are that of caring for those who are suffering and in need and not turning our backs—going the extra steps to be of service—to show compassion. Calls to go out of our way for the stranger or extend compassion without price, are also evident in the story. While such themes are present, the beauty of a parable –and in anyone of the teachings of Jesus, there are also other interpretations that apply to our daily life.
For example, the time it took for the Samaritan to alter his routine and offer care. I meet so many people who have such schedule demands that one break—one fifteen minute alteration and life falls apart. Or there are those who are so busy being busy fearful that if they stop they may have to evaluate what they are doing with their lives!
Then there are parents who have jammed up the lives of their children (and their car time) with all sorts of activities and complain there is “no time for family life”. Perhaps they should stop being so concerned with filling the time slots with four kinds of sports, three styles of dance lessons, and all the other extracurricular activities and be concerned about spending time talking to one another, sitting down having meals together—pray together, read the Bible together. Be a good Samaritan- parent and stop and learn who your children are—and let them get to know you better.
I also hear parents express fear and dread that they are not doing the right things in raising their children. It’s a good tension to do inventory on the quality of life that goes on between parents and their children; have a sit-down check in, affirm those great qualities that you do see in your child(ren), ask them to do the same with you, and say a prayer to God with them in thanksgiving for the gift of life shared with one another. Let your child(ren) know that your love for them is a part of your daily prayer for them—loving rightly—go the extra spiritual step with them.
However, it is so difficult today with all the temptations, distractions, and demands to raise the perfect well-balance all around athletic, academic, arts and crafts, theatre and tap, technology geek, with perfect teeth, hair, eyes, and body whose SATS are in the stratosphere along with trying to meet the demands for all those things the “just have to haves”.
Our teenagers can qualify as good Samaritans when they have more patience with their parents and realize that parents can’t be perfect. Just like all of us—including teenagers, God is still working on parents.
Day to day relationships can offer opportunities for Samaritan compassion. For example, not harboring resentment when a family member, co-worker, or anyone, says something you know they regret. Seek to go the extra step and help heal the rift. It isn’t easy—but it is Samaritan-Christ-like.
A Samaritan-pause for seeing the person right in front of us can yield miraculous results: the depth of love open and available if we would just pause long enough to connect with those that God has placed on the path of our lives—go an extra step or two, with love as the motive.
Samaritan blessings, Fr. Gordon
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