15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

Luke 10:25-37

“But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight” (Luke 10:33)

One element of praying with the parables which I love is the freedom to place myself as any character in the story. At our Bible study, however, I was surprised when led by the Spirit to envision myself as the one on the side of the road beset by robbers.

Though initially I dismissively thought, “I’ve already prayed this way before; You've already brought me healing,” He was reorienting my heart with some needed reminders. 

As I saw myself on the side of the road, I felt the areas of anger and sadness, despair and discouragement that linger in my heart. Whether from when I’ve felt passed by by some I’d hoped to encounter understanding from, or when I perceive others continuing on without me as a shameful hallmark of the depth of my woundedness, leaving me feeling stuck. 

When I experienced the shocking sight of a Samaritan approaching, it brought up my own feelings of fear and distrust. Too often I close off to individuals or opportunities orchestrated by Him, especially those unexpected, forgetting how these can be channels to meet his compassionate love. 

I saw my condition, but He changed my focus. 

In the gaze of the Good Samaritan, I felt the Spirit reminding me how He desires to draw close and meet me in those greatest places of woundedness or distrust. I envisioned how He waits for my permission to draw close; giving me the authority to decline or receive his presence. Once we’ve given permission and invited Him to draw close, the oil and wine He pours soothes and anoints these wounds where freedom and autonomy have been taken, to be passageways for his glory. He elevates us, reaffirming our dignity and, uninhibited by our helplessness, carries us to a place of rest and safety, removing the disgrace from where we've been found. And as He vows to the innkeeper in the story, He will return when we again encounter our need for mercy and his healing grace. 

Let us learn by his example with the hope that to the extent we allow Him to bring healing to our hearts we become transformed and transfigured, able to “go and do likewise.”