Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 10:25-37) “Can You Give Me Some Time?”
Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Lk. 10:25-37) “Can You Give Me Some Time?”
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a story that Jesus told, that makes us very uncomfortable. Why? Because we all have run across people along the highway who need help. We must decide whether we will go on by or not. We might feel like not having an obligation to help while others might.
When we hear the story of the Good Samaritan, we are disappointed that the persons who walk past the man who is lying in the ditch are religious professionals. We hear that the first two men who pass by are a priest and a Levite. A priest would be a person that would offer sacrifice in the temple. A Levite was a person who assisted the priests with worship. We would think these prayerful men would have charity as a top priority. Hypocrites, we may think to ourselves.
Various hypotheses are offered as to why the men pass the victim. One reason given is that the priest and Levite were on their way to Jerusalem. If they touched the beggar, they would be rendered ritually unclean. We might think to ourselves, how awful to be so legalistic that you would lose your sense of compassion.
Another reason given for the two men ignoring some in need is that they were afraid. If they helped, they might be robbed too. Could the robbers still be lurking in the shadows. We again offer a judgement. How cowardly these two men were. Why did they think only of themselves? But maybe the reason the two men passed by was simpler, a reason that we often use not to act.
Many years ago, an experiment was devised by two Princeton University psychologists revolving around the story of the Good Samaritan. The two men’s names were John Darley and Daniel Batson. Darley and Batson met with a group of Princeton divinity students, and they asked them to prepare sermons on the Good Samaritan that would be presented to other students.
A variable was introduced that could affect the outcome of the experiment. On the day of the lectures, some presenters were told that they were running late and needed to hurry across campus, and some were told that they had a goodly amount of time before they had to make their presentation in another building. A man was strategically placed along the route who appeared to have been mugged. He was slumped over in plain sight coughing and groaning. The question was how many would stop and help? Given the fact, that all the people participating were familiar with Jesus’ story the results were stunning.
Of the students who were told they were running late, only 10% stopped to help the man in need. Of the students who were told they had plenty of time, 63% stopped to offer aid. What all this suggests is that at times, when we are harried, the beliefs that we hold dear aren’t necessarily translated into action.
Now this is something that we all can relate to. Since 1973, when this experiment happened, the pace of our lives has only increased. All of us are in a rush. Many times, we wait to move until the last minute. What is the result of all this rushing around? Perhaps we don’t see Jesus when he is right in front of us. What are the excuses that we use when we turn away from the person who is in need? We might say, I have something else to do. Or someone else will help them.
What we like to do when we come upon someone in need on the street is we like to give them a few dollars and then move on our way. When we do, this is neat and clean. We don’t have to invest any time. Money is something that most of us can replace. Time is something we feel like we will never replace.
What is the deadly sin we are committing? We might say that this is a form of avarice. We aren’t hoarding our money, but we are hoarding our time. The person in need is not a person made in the image of God, but a distraction that keeps us from things we believe are more important.
We can’t stop to help everyone in need, but can we do it occasionally? If we do, we might be surprised. I stopped to see a friend in a dementia unit recently. I had been putting this off for awhile telling myself I was too busy. He probably wouldn’t remember anyway. When I found him, he was asleep? The aid woke him up. He didn’t know who I was. He asked me the same questions three times. I gave him communion which he appreciated. When I was getting ready to leave in a moment of lucidity. He said, “Thank you for visiting me and especially for taking the time.” I felt at that moment that Jesus was speaking do me.
Reflection Questions?
- What is more valuable to me time or money? Why is that so?
- How can I become less harried? How do I waste time?
Dear Parishioners,
I was ordained a priest forty years ago. I had my first Mass the same Saturday. I remember being exhausted by the end of the day. The whole experience was very emotional. At times it seems like the last forty years have flown by and at other times it seems like my ordination was a long time ago. I had a full head of hair and weighed about fifty pounds less. That helps me to realize how much time has passed.
People have asked me repeatedly things like, “Why did you become a priest?” Or they will ask, “What was your favorite assignment?” I look at my vocation as a mystery. I can’t adequately put into words why I became a priest? I felt moved by forces beyond myself. As far as a favorite assignment, my best answer is that all my assignments ended up being good because of the people I have met in my life as a priest. Many people are far holier than I will ever be and that constantly humbles me.
The thing that I hope for is that people will grow closer to Jesus Christ because of my ministry as a priest. If that happens then my life will have been worthwhile. Please pray for me as I begin another year of service. Thank you to all who have wished me well and helped with our groundbreaking and the celebration of my anniversary.
May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,
Fr. Mark
Thanks to Fred Julius for leading the presentation regarding the church windows. And for the Altar Society for sponsoring the event and providing refreshments.