Figurative painting of the Good Samaritan with Għasri scenery in the background.
To live joyfully, it is important that we neither dwell constantly in the past, carrying its weight into the present, nor live in fear of the future or of what might happen. It is so important to learn how to live in the present moment, because the present moment is God’s grace for us—now. All this is true and filled with wisdom. But there is one thing that is certain to happen in the future, and the wise person does well not to forget it: our life on this earth will one day come to an end, and each of us must give an account of our life to God.
The scholar of the Law, though perhaps seeking to test Jesus, had understood this truth well, because he asked Him: “Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” How foolish is the person who forgets that this life passes quickly. And no matter how important earthly matters may seem, since they too will pass and come to nothing, their importance fades into nothing as well. After all, only one thing truly matters: whether or not we gain God for eternity. That is Heaven—when we allow God to possess us forever. Everything else counts for little.
To Jesus’ question, the scholar answered precisely: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” And Jesus praises the scholar for having answered well. This means that there is only one path to attain what does not pass: the path of love.
When the scholar, trying to assert himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”, Jesus responded with one of the most beautiful parables in the Gospel. It is striking that, for Jesus, the priest and the Levite—both more concerned with temple service than with helping someone in need—were not truly living out the commandment of love. Meanwhile, a Samaritan—an outsider, and perhaps considered a sinner in the eyes of the Jews—had a heart that more closely resembled that of Jesus, more than those who were focused on religious ritual rather than love for their fellow human being.
How much Pope Francis has taught us about this! It’s no surprise that some have turned against him. But perhaps it would have been better had they taken time to reflect on what the Lord might be trying to tell us through him. After all, the Lord will judge us on this very point—on how much we truly loved.
If our worship in the “Temple” is disconnected from acts of love—if our liturgy, however beautiful, does not lead to real and practical charity—then we are simply deceiving ourselves.
Lord Jesus, we ask you: open our minds and hearts more and more, so that we may listen to your Word with humility and love. Help us, so that when your Word corrects us, we may be wise enough to accept that you do so for our good and to lead us to that Good which never passes away. Amen.
