Be the Oil, the Wine and the Bandage

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Catholic, Justice
Good Samaritan

Greetings on this the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37

Who is my neighbor?

This homily was given at the 4:00 PM Vigil Mass for Good Samaritan Sunday.

A completely different homily will be given at the 10:30 AM Mass.

Summary

For this command which I am giving you today is not too wondrous or remote for you…it is something very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do it (Duet 30:11,14). [It is] More desirable than gold, than a hoard of purest gold, Sweeter also than honey or drippings from the comb. By them your servant is warned; obeying them brings much reward (PS 19:11-12).

"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."
Luke 10:27

Our Source

He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him (Col 1:15, 19-20). Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life, making peace by the blood of his cross (Cf. John 6:63c, 68c).

Reflection

VERBAL STORY – Story of the Man Dying in the Street (trigger alert: this is gently but clearly about violence and our reaction to violence). Reserved for video presentation only.

The Good Samaritan was these things:

  • The Oil of Gladness – restoring dignity and humanity.
  • The Wine of Compassion – healing body and soul.
  • The Bandage – which is the hope of the future.

Personal Reflection

The Question

  • Who is my neighbor? A victim, stripped and beaten. A stranger.
  • What am I to do? Proper use of Time (stop and do), talent (care for wounds) and treasure (two coins).
  • Where? Wherever you are.
  • When am I to do it? When presented to you and come back to it.
  • Why? You know why. You shall…

Breaking down the steps:

  1. Safely (they went off leaving him half-dead).
  2. Approach – Engage the situation. Ask questions. Evaluate how you can be of help.
  3. Aid in the immediate – Poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
  4. Additional Aid when needed – Lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.
  5. Extended Aid enlisting others to do likewise – Next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him.
  6. Future Aid – plan follow up and reward for those who helped – If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’

The Law

Scholar of the law – What is written in the law?

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.

The Test

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”

The Praxis

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.’

The Conclusion

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.”

Do This
  • Be Oil.
  • Be Wine.
  • Be the bandage.

Sacred Readings

Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071325.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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