Jonah 1:1-2:1,11
Luke 10:25-37
In today’s first reading, we have the story of Jonah. Jonah was a unique prophet. In his life contradictions abound. Jonah, who is intimate with God, does not do what God asks of him; he tries to do the opposite. While others were praying to their gods for the storm to calm down, he was sleeping. Pagan sailors are God-fearing so he had to wake him up. God showed to him that He is God. He is the one chosen to show the light of God’s love to the people of Nineveh. Jonah had to learn from God that in following his commands, we love him and we experience God’s love as we love our neighbor.
In today’s gospel, in order to disconcert our Lord, a lawyer came up with a question, what must I do inherit eternal life? To that question, Jesus further told him the story of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan had compassion and took care of the one who was attacked by brigands. Thus, loving God who we cannot see requires loving our neighbor who we see. If in our world, we exclude people from our shelter and compassion, then we will have men who will continue to deal likewise with their fellow men. Our minds and hearts will be set on indifference or revenge.
Fr Joseph Osho