THE obvious lesson we can immediately gather from the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10,25,37) is that we should have true empathy and compassion with everyone, irrespective of how those involved are, whether they are friendly or not, of our type or kind or not, likeable and lovable or not, etc. We should try to have a universal heart, quick to serve anyone, irrespective of who or how one is.
The more subtle lesson we should draw from it, however, is that we should be wary of our tendency to rely mainly on our titles, status or whatever privileges and entitlements we have. This reliance may not be openly seen, and that’s the problem to face and resolve.
Very often, even if we profess ourselves to be truly and entirely Christian, in reality there are some hidden things that would belie such claim. We may talk a lot about charity and show in some external acts that we are living it, but very often if not always, we can always find ourselves in some inconsistent condition, because there are times when we fail to live charity truly.
We can be choosy as to whom to be compassionate as well as to the kind of conditions that would prevail in a certain occasion. We expect that all the conditions be favorable for us to show charity. When sacrifices are involved, especially the extraordinary ones, we tend to turn a blind eye, just like what the priest and the Levite did in the parable.
This is not to mention that we all have certain biases and preferences that would prevent us from having a heart that would show and give love at all times, irrespective of the circumstances around.
We truly need to address this problem realistically. And the first thing to consider is to acknowledge our deficiencies with respect to the charity expected of us as true children of God. This may take a lifetime, but it is worthwhile to keep doing something to make our heart resemble more and more like that of the Good Samaritan, or to put it bluntly, a heart like that of Christ.
In our prayers, examinations of conscience and other spiritual and ascetical exercises, let us identify those items or aspects of charity where we are failing or lagging behind. It could be that we are still dominated by what and whom we like and dislike, or by the fear of more sacrifices especially if they are occasioned by surprises.
Definitely, we need to ask for grace, but we also need to develop a certain discipline that would enable us to truly have a charity, empathy and compassion that have a universal scope.
It is also helpful that we avail ourselves of some help from someone who can truly give us guidance in our pursuit for personal conversion. Obviously, in this regard, we need to be open, sincere and transparent, putting all the cards on the table without hiding anything.
We have to learn how to discipline our feelings and passions, teaching them to go along the true spirit of charity as Christ himself has shown, commanded and enabled us to have. This can mean that we learn, for example, how to convert difficult and humbling moments into moments of graciousness and magnanimity.
In our pursuit to have this kind of charity, we should have the sensation that we are becoming “all things to all men” as St. Paul once said (1 Cor 9,22), willing to “bear one another’s burdens.” (Gal 6,2) This is when we can truly be a Good Samaritan to anyone, whatever may be the circumstance.
