The good Samaritan

[catholicsaint]

When Jesus teached us to help everyone,did he mean in every possible way and even acting better with others and giving more to other people than to one self?
If we see another human being in any difficulty.Should we allways help them?
If we were to make fun of other people or mock them for there weakness, would that go against the good samaraton teaching?
Just some thoughts guys!
catolicsaint.

 

[Publisher]

The story of the Good Samaritian was told to those Pharisees with whom Jesus was discussing the two greatest commandments. “Love God…and love your neighbor…” Samaritians were hated. They were seen as all things vile. They usurped the “true worship” of God as far as Jews were concerned. There was no love lost between Jews and Samaritians.

So Jesus told his story about a certain Jew who was beset by bandits and beaten and robbed. The religious Jews and teachers passed by him…they didn’t want to become ritually unclean as they wanted to fulfil their religious obligations…even if it meant this countryman of theirs died of exposure and lack of help. A hated, vile Samaritian came by and showed the beaten and penniless Jew a great kindness. He displayed character and compassion that according to the popular view of his day…simply was not possible…HE WAS A SAMARITIAN after all…they didn’t love like “normal” people loved. They were “disordered”. They had no concept of truth…THEY WERE SAMARITIANS!!!

Jesus turned to the men after the story and asked, “Who was his neighbor.” They couldn’t even say “The Samaritian.”…they had to say something, so they said “the one who showed him kindness”…what did Jesus then say? “God and do likewise.”

I don’t think the story is only about helping others…I think the story is about confronting our own misconceptions of who is kind and good. It’s about compassion. It’s about “Who is my neighbor?” It’s not about how much we give…or how much we help others…it’s that we give and that we help others…“even a cup of cold water.”

 

[Della]

When Jesus teached us to help everyone,did he mean in every possible way and even acting better with others and giving more to other people than to one self?

No. As lay people we need to care for ourselves and our families. But, we ought to be as generous as we able to be within our means.

If we see another human being in any difficulty.Should we allways help them?

Again, as we are able to do. You wouldn’t perform emergency surgery on a crash victim because you don’t know how to do that, but you would dial 911 and administer first aid, if you know how. There may be times when we have to be heroic, but most of the time we just need to be considerate of others and help them as we can.

If we were to make fun of other people or mock them for there weakness, would that go against the good samaraton teaching?

This would definitely go against the lessons of the Good Samaritan and basic Catholic teaching. We are to treat others as we would want to be treated, and better as Jesus would treat others, with love and support. If you know someone who is being bullied you might want to make him/her a friend and so show those doing the bullying that you support that person and will not stand by or be a part of any mistreatment of any person.

Just some thoughts guys!
catolicsaint.

Always good to ask and think about these things and compare them to what Christ and his Church tell us.

 

[Eric_Hyom]

I have heard the Greatest commandments described by saying, God first, neighbour second, self third.

Blessings

Eric

 

[Verbum]

Hi Della,

Congratulations on the work of mercy you performed on the spelling of SAMARITAN.

Verbum

 

[paperwight66]

Hi Della,

Congratulations on the work of mercy you performed on the spelling of SAMARITAN.

Verbum

Seconded. I couldn’t believe the variations, and wondered what was coming next.

 

[Highwayhound]

When Jesus teached us to help everyone,did he mean in every possible way and even acting better with others and giving more to other people than to one self?
If we see another human being in any difficulty.Should we allways help them?
If we were to make fun of other people or mock them for there weakness, would that go against the good samaraton teaching?
Just some thoughts guys!
catolicsaint.

St. Vincent dePaul to his dying day thought he had not done enough and yet look at his legacy.

St. Damien of Molokai left his home and never saw his family again. In his new island home he would find lepers left to die out in the tall grass. He would make sure they were treated with love and care.

Blessed Mother Teresa started her ministry one day when she saw a man dying on some street. Did she not touch the heart of India and the world?

St. Kolbe by showing love of God switched places with a man condemned to die in a starvation room at Auschwitz. That man, Franciszek Gajowniczek, lived into his 90s.

In all these examples it was no easy task. Yet, the saints went forward. They inspire me and I try my best to live up to their standard.

God bless

 

[Reuben_J]

When Jesus teached us to help everyone,did he mean in every possible way and even acting better with others and giving more to other people than to one self?

Yes.

If we see another human being in any difficulty.Should we allways help them?

Yes.

If we were to make fun of other people or mock them for there weakness, would that go against the good samaraton teaching?

Yes.

Just some thoughts guys!
catolicsaint.

It is tough to be saint, isn’t it?