The parable of the good Samaritan has resonated with scripture scholars throughout the ages. One of the most iconic biblical passages, this story served as a launching pad for this week’s Zoomer discussion of Fratelli Tutti. In Chapter 3, Pope Francis reminds us that the rich merchant, filled with his own importance, bypassed a disheveled “nobody” to attend to his own concerns. The Samaritan, on the other hand, immediately responded to the beggar with compassion and concern.
Unfortunately, today’s world is not always so kind. Social groups that deliberately isolate themselves from others and aggressive mobs that threaten to destroy the very fabric of our society eat away at the foundation of what we have come to value as the American dream. Though we as Zoomers agree that every person is worthy of respect, perhaps we as potential Samaritans should take a hard look into our hearts.
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Would we have stopped if the "man on the roadside" had been a person of color?
- Would we have unconditionally cared for someone totally foreign to us?
Throughout the remainder of the meeting Zoomers considered the Pope’s universal plea for a return to all-encompassing openness and compassion. They found themselves looking at persons and situations that exemplify the charisms of the Sisters of Saint Joseph: A Villa homemaker who devotes himself to working whenever and wherever needed; the CNA who goes the extra mile to comfort a resident; an SSJ Associate whose children are eager to grow up, follow in their mother’s footsteps and be Associates too!
If we look closely, we find the world embraces many “Good Samaritans” in the day-to-day unfolding of our lives.
