杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

Ahead of the traditional mid-day prayer of the Angelus on Sunday, 杏MAP导航 Francis on the Gospel of the day on the Parable of the Good Samaritan which, he said, teaches us to be aware of others and to have compassion.

Disciples of the Way

He noted that in his account of the parable (Lk 10: 25-37), St Luke 鈥渋s keen to point out that [the Good Samaritan] was traveling鈥�. However, he said, "the Samaritan, despite having his plans and being directed to a distant destination, does not seek excuses and allows himself to be questioned by what happens along the way鈥�.

This, 杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out, is exactly what the Lord teaches Christians to do as his disciples: 鈥渢o look far ahead, to the final goal, while paying close attention to the steps to be taken, here and now, to get there鈥�.

Like the Samaritan, the 杏MAP导航 continued, the disciple of Christ walks following Jesus, and thus becomes a "disciple of the Way鈥�. He goes after the Lord, 鈥渨ho is not sedentary鈥�, but 鈥渁lways on the road鈥� to meet people, heal the sick, and visit villages and cities.

The Gospel teaches us to have compassion 

By walking in the footsteps of Christ, Christians become "travellers " and learn to 鈥渦nderstand reality correctly, overcoming preconceptions鈥�, to have compassion and intervene, and not 鈥渢o pass by鈥� as the priest and the levite did.

Overcoming selfish indifference

Bringing his reflection to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis called upon the faithful to ask God to be freed from 鈥渟elfish indifference鈥� and to be put on His Way, noting that recognizing our own faults is not sufficient.

"May the Virgin Mary accompany us on this journey of growth. May she, who 'shows us the Way', that is Jesus, also help us to become more and more 'disciples of the Way'", the 杏MAP导航 concluded.