15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke 10:25-37
The
Parable of the Good Samaritan contains the narrative of salvation history,
beginning with the Fall of Adam and continuing through the founding of the
Church even until the Second Coming of our Savior and the Day of Judgment.
The
following interpretation is based on the Catena
Aurea of St. Thomas Aquinas (Luke 10:29-35).
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
A man, this refers to Adam (the
name means man). Fell victim to robbers, this is the fall of Adam, which was
hastened by the temptation of the evil one. Likewise, all who have sinned since
Adam, fall to the temptation of Satan and his wicked angels who are robbers. Adam is said to have fallen as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho,
for Jerusalem is a symbol of paradise, Jericho a symbol of the fallen world.
Jerusalem is a sign of sinless-ness and immortality, Jericho signifies
mortality and death. Adam first turned away from God, thus he was unable to resist
the temptations of the evil one.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
Adam is said to be left half-dead, for our nature was not entirely corrupted by sin, but
was left in such a state as to be unable to raise itself to justification
before God. Thus, fallen man is not yet dead, but is half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
The Priest and the Levite represent the Law and
the Prophets. These came before Christ and were unable to bring salvation.
However, they did make man to yearn for a savior, manifesting our sinfulness
(for the Law makes man aware of sin), yet unable to heal our wounds. Thus they passed by on the opposite side; for the
Old Covenant did not bring man salvation.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
Notice that the Priest and Levite happened to come upon Adam, they do not
proceed to him with intent. The Samaritan, however, came upon him, indicating that he voluntarily approached the victim.
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
The Samaritan, that is Christ, brings that
healing which the Priest and Levite could not effect. For the forgiveness of
sins comes only from the New Law. Christ poured
oil and wine over his wounds, this signifies both softness of mercy (the oil) and sharpness of constraint (the wine). Or oil and wine signify Christ’s union with our humanity (the oil) and his union with the divinity
(the wine).
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
The
animal signifies the humanity of
Christ, which was an instrument of his divinity. It is by the humanity of
Christ that we find salvation.
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The
inn signifies the Church, for none
are saved outside the Church of Christ.
The next day
He
speaks of the next day referring to
his Resurrection, the “day that the Lord hath made.” Christ must make provision
for redeemed man, since he was to depart from us and ascend to his Father.
he took out two silver
coins
The
two silver coins signify the love of
God and love of neighbor. Or they signify baptism and the Eucharist.
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
The innkeeper signifies the apostles and
their successors.
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
One is said to spend more when he works tirelessly for
the faith, even spending his own life in the service of the Gospel. To such a
one, Christ will indeed give the reward of eternal life. On my way back, here Christ foretells his Second Coming and the Day
of Judgement.
6 comments:
I really enjoy the site. Very informative. I only wish that the posts would come more frequently. However after reading the bios, I understand that you're probably very busy individuals.
God bless,
MP
@ Michael Pigott: Thanks for the comment.
We apologize for the delays in postings...we are going to be getting back on track with more regular posting again in the next couple of weeks.
In particular, the "Thomistic Scriptural Commentary Series" will return as a weekly post.
Additionally, there is hopes of more regular posting on the various theological aspects of Pope Benedict's addresses, homilies, etc.
In the mean time, thank you for your patience!
Pax,
Reginald
Reginald,
It is good to see your posts again. I know you have been very busy but am sure that others will agree that your posts are always uplifting and informative. Oremus pro invicem.
Campion,
Blessings to you! We will have to get going again on the Journal articles...I (like most of the others) have fall far behind!
Are you going to take up the promised posts on the Order of Deacon and on the Councils?
With prayers!
Reginald
truly a deep insight
Thank you to all who contributed with your comments.
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