Spiritual Good Samaritan

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

If one of your fellow brothers or sisters were lying injured on the side of the road, would you be a Good Samaritan and help them? If they we sick in bed with the flu, would you not wish them comfort and pray for their speedy recovery? Today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 18:15-20), is about our requirement to be a Spiritual Good Samaritan. Not only must we care for those with physical injuries, be we called to care for those with spiritual injuries. Jesus tells us that “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.” If a person does something to injure you, then you should seek out this person and try to make amends. Jesus tells us if we do not try to repair the relationship, then we are worse then the person who caused the sin in the first place. In the Our Father, we say, “For give us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespassed against us.” How can we be forgiven for our own sins if we do not forgive those who have sinned against us? Today’s reading takes it a step further, we must approach this person and let them know that they are forgiven. Our position should not be one of condemnation or judgment, but one of compassion and forgiveness. It is good to forgive and forget, but the person who sinned against you is still wounded. Their soul is damaged by the sin they committed. Therefore, we are called to repair that wound. It is so important to repair this wound that Jesus tells us, “if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” Maybe you are not capable of the needed compassion to repair this wound because of the depth of the hurt caused to you. Then you should bring along someone who is level headed enough to be the mediator. Lastly, if this does not repair the injury, you should seek out the church community to pray for the situation and to give guidance. Unattended wounds caused by sin will fester and create hatred that runs deep. Hatred is the sword of the devil which he wields freely about to create chaos in the world. Just look at how many of the major world conflicts are born out of hatred; a hatred that started between two children of God. We must do all we can to eliminate and fight hatred before it grows. Hatred becomes contagious and spreads like wildfire. There is no greater feeling then reconciliation among friends. Therefore, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”

A Simple Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, forgive me for I am a sinner.

But before you forgive me, give me the strength to forgive others who have sinned against me.

Give me the strength and courage to encounter them and to heal this wound.

Make me source of healing love and peace in this world.

Sincerely

Michael Marcon