Dear friends in Christ

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the world's best known and loved stories. It is a simple account of someone who fell into the hands of bad men and was rescued by a kind passer-by; a simple but multi-faceted story. We go through life often meeting people who have been beaten-up and left half-dead, metaphorically speaking. We can either aid them or pass them by; these would be our sins of omission, the times when we don’t want to complicate our lives with the problems of others, the times when we think only of our own issues. The secret of overcoming this indifference to others is always to see that the object of all charity is Jesus Christ. When we look upon our fellow human beings, it is He whom we see. It was a Samaritan who actually came to the aid of the poor victim on the roadside, even though there was a huge gulf between the Jews and Samaritans, he didn't recoil as the others did, passing by on the other side: he got up close to him. His kindness and charity were practical. God places our neighbour and their needs along the road of our life. Assistance doesn’t have to be anything extraordinary, but what is called for is often something small and simple, since love is most often manifest in the smallest of deeds. Jesus concludes his story with a friendly word to the doctor of the Law: You go, and do likewise. In other words he tells him to be understanding, involved and compassionate with whoever needs you. The exhortation of Jesus is made to us also!

May God bless you!

Msgr Kevin Hale