Gospel Meditation: Parable of the Good Samaritan

Captain Sullenberger, who made a successful forced landing in the Hudson River after a flock of birds flew into and destroyed both of his jet engines shortly after take-off wrote: "I've delivered a million passengers to their destinations for over forty years, yet in the end I'm forever going to be judged on a 208 second flight!"

In today's gospel parable, three men are judged – not for the content of their life's work – but for the choice they made at a specific moment of time. Each happened upon the man beaten and left for dead by thieves, yet only one – a Samaritan – had enough compassion to stop, act, and offer assistance. The other two simply ignored the man and passed by on the other side.

Each day, many opportunities present themselves by which we might act and glorify God, and the decisions we make in any given situation will either serve to define us as a true follower of Christ or bind us to a harsh and dire judgement. The choice is yours.

Very Rev. Fr. John Memorich