BLESSED FRANCIS XAVIER SEELOS, PRIEST (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

When he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.

In Jesus’ parable, the priest and the Levite passed by a man on the side of the road who had been robbed, beaten, and left for dead. We don’t know why these two men continued on their way—maybe they were hurrying to an appointment or were just fearful about stopping and possibly getting robbed and beaten themselves. Maybe they just didn’t care. Only the Samaritan was willing to sacrifice his time and money to save the man.

It’s likely that each of us will “pass by” someone in need today. While it could be someone literally stranded by the side of the road, it could also be a coworker who is wrestling with loneliness. It could be someone in our own home, like a teenager who is worried and anxious. How will we relate to these “neighbors” whom Jesus is asking us to love (Luke 10:27)? Could we start by sitting with the coworker in the lunchroom and getting to know that person? Could we set aside some time for our child to ask him what’s on his mind and how he’s really doing?

Jesus shared this parable to illustrate how God defines love and how he invites us to love the people around us. Loving our neighbor often translates to some level of personal sacrifice. It requires us to be accessible. It might call us out of our comfort zone, or it might mean giving of our time and resources. Maybe we don’t feel we have anything extra to give at that moment.

Just think: Jesus could have “passed by” us, remained in heaven, and avoided the pain of becoming a man and enduring the cross. But he didn’t. He suffered for us so that we could be reunited with his Father. He saw each of us as a beloved child of the Father worth sacrificing and dying for.

When we make sacrifices to enter into someone else’s life, we are loving the way Jesus loves. We are choosing to see our neighbors as he sees them—as beloved children of God. Today Jesus invites us to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).

“Jesus, show me how to love my neighbor today.”

Galatians 1:6-12
Psalm 111:1-2, 7-10