7th Week of Pentecost

Acts 15:13-21
After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. Symeon has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written: ‘After this I shall return and rebuild the fallen hut of David; from its ruins I shall rebuild it and raise it up again, so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked. Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things, known from of old.’ It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood. For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”

Luke 10:29-37
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Samaritan loved the victim, and treated him well even though he could not be sure of what the other man would do were their fortunes reversed. We have heard many times that we must love our neighbor. Yet, the church fathers often interpret this passage differently. Jesus is the Samaritan who has shown love to fallen man. The Old Covenant represented by the Levi and priest, showed no mercy and were unable or unwilling to save the man. The Samaritan uses oil and wine representing the Holy Mysteries. The inn is the Church where we are left to be nursed to health until Jesus returns. Jesus is our neighbor, who loves us and gave Himself for our care when no one else would even give us notice.

Praise, glory, and honor to the Priest, who cannot be understood; the Substance, which cannot be analyzed;
the Divine Wisdom, which has no limits;
the Goodness, which is not exhausted;
the Majesty, which cannot be offended;
the Light, which darkness cannot judge.
O Christ, in your name may we be protected,
behind your cross may we hide,
and in your harbor may we find rest,
now and for ever. Amen.
All respond:
Amen.