12th Sunday after Pentecost 19 August 2012

[One from the archives]

12th Sunday after Pentecost 19 August 2012 Good Samaritan

We sometimes hear in the news that a ‘good Samaritan’ has been assaulted or even killed as a result of his intervention in a situation, trying to help.

So there are dangers in helping out, in getting involved. Is it worth it?

Christ Himself could be considered a Good Samaritan. He intervened; He came to help out some people in trouble (the human race); and was killed for His troubles. So maybe He should have stayed ‘at home’ - in Heaven.

Was it worth His intervention? It appeared He ‘failed’ insofar as He was put to death; yet that is the very thing that saved us.

From the death of Christ: apparent defeat but actually victory. His resurrection was a victory, but the Cross, even by itself was also a victory. A victory of Love over Indifference.

The apostles and the martyrs have followed His example. It is a Good Samaritan act to preach the gospel, to spread the faith. It is an intervention, trying to help. And it can mean death.

Arguing from a basic kind of prudence, they would have done better to have stayed at home; the apostles should have gone back to fishing.

On deeper reflection, however, we see that there is a spiritual value to certain actions, whatever their apparent consequences at the time.

Our interventions may not ‘work’ by human standards but yet still be a victory.

If our intervention is motivated by love it will have the merit of being a sacrifice, in imitation of Christ. This is the greatest kind of love, and the most powerful – to lay down one’s life for another (Jn 15,13).

The apparent object may not be achieved. For example, I could intervene to save someone who is being assaulted and I might be killed myself. Not a success. But the love that one showed in trying to solve the problem will bring spiritual benefit to the helper and others.

There is a risk element in helping another. The Church cannot offer a detailed list of what to do or not to do in each case. We need the gifts of Wisdom, Prudence, and Counsel at such times.

The general point is that we should not expect in this life to have complete personal security or comfort. We are at times going to have to sacrifice our comfort and sometimes even our safety in getting involved in the lives of others.

The driving principle is what does Christ expect of us? We are, in effect, images of Christ; trying to replicate what He did, on a much smaller scale. We would die for the truth, or to save another. Or, if not called upon to die, at least spend ourselves in the attempt.

We cannot help everyone in the world; we cannot fight every battle. But if we are filled with the Spirit of Christ unselfish behaviour will come naturally.

Worldly prudence will tell us to make sure we are safe at all times. The Gospel will say we cannot be safe at all times, or even most of the time.

We are not required to go looking for trouble, but there will be times when we do put ourselves at risk, which, even if miscalculated will not be wasted.

We can still be as wise as serpents. Otherwise we will be answering all the scam emails, giving away our bank account numbers to every stranger!

We must be cautious in general, but not to the point of wiping out all risk.

It is just as well that Jesus Christ did not stay at home. Just as well that the apostles did not go back to their previous jobs. Just as well that we are being formed in the same mind and learning to be good Samaritans in our time.