July 13, 2025: Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Reflection

“We are not called to do all the good that is possible, but only that which we can do.” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, in a letter to Father Kundek of Jasper, Indiana, September 27, 1842.

Today’s Gospel is thought to be one of the most recognized parables of Jesus. Just about everyone, regardless of one’s faith tradition, practice, or belief, is familiar with the Good Samaritan. How, though, is this story of tragedy and compassion a lesson in trusting Providence?

Looking over the journals and letters of Mother Theodore, I’m sure there were plenty of times that she didn’t particularly want to rely on Providence even though the circumstances required that trust of her. Consider when the bishop locked her in the closet, when the barn was destroyed by arson, or when her ship was caught up in a mid-sea storm. We, too, can find ourselves wondering how we found ourselves in unpleasant situations at times. The story of the Good Samaritan tells us four things.

First, if we’re not trusting in Providence, we’re behaving like the priest or the Levite; we’re either too arrogant or too afraid to put our faith in someone or something other than ourselves. Second, if we’re in the role of the Samaritan, we may not necessarily be free from fear, but we’re daring to take the steps that we can anyway. Our efforts have no guarantee of effectiveness or reward, but we guarantee their ineffectiveness if we turn away. We may be concerned about sacrificing our resources, not knowing how they will be replenished, but with that certainty, there wouldn’t be much need of faith.

Third, when (not “if”) we find ourselves in the position of the traveler, we have no choice; we are at the mercy of Providence sending that Samaritan our way. Fourth, while we might wish this never happened or we may desire to do more, we are left with the realities as they are; our faith and choices are the only remainders.

Let’s recall that the Samaritan would not have been, in those days, the person you would look to for help – you may not even want their help when given a choice. They were the “other” people. Remember, too, that at the conclusion of this story, there are only two people left alone – the ones who crossed to the other side of the road. The Samaritan, the traveler, and the innkeeper – an unlikely community – were in the next steps of the unknown together.

Action

This week, perhaps spend some time in prayerful reflection on today’s Gospel. Place yourself in each of these roles. Journal if you’re so inclined. How do you suppose the traveler’s views of Samaritan people changed after this event?

What trust in Providence was required for the next time that traveler had to make a similar journey? What blessings and happiness may be in the untold “next chapter” of this story? Whom might you encounter during a typical week that may become your “unlikely community?”