November 21, 2014: Good Samaritan
‘The Samaritan woman is every one of us. She is every human being who has ever sinned and betrayed the God who loved and made us, by chasing after other gods, trying desperately to get creatures to give us what only the Creator can give. She is every human being who has ever made a complete mess of their lives with choices from which they just can’t seem to break loose. She is every person who has a sinful, broken past that they’d just rather not talk about.’ Brant Pitre
Like the Samaritan woman, the best healers start as a mixture–wheat and tares. Strongholds of sin and virtue grew up together in a typically sensitive, passionate soul that cries out for a long time: ‘Jesus, I am Yours; please, make me Yours!’
Deep divides take a long time to overcome. I concur with the ‘law of gradualism’ (13) noted by the recent report on the Synod of Family. Authentic repentance can take years and requires a lot of confessions, loads of truthful compassion from Christians who surround them, and of course, the ironclad commitment of Jesus who always fights for the free-will surrender of His bride.
In spite of the Samaritan woman’s instantaneous witness of Jesus (“Come see a man who told me everything…’), we could say that Samaritans actually take a long time to convert. So the Church needs two things. First she must uphold for all Christians her standard of union with Christ in the whole of one’s divided humanity. And secondly, she must mobilize a host of Samaritan converts who are willing to suffer long with fellow strugglers. The rhythm is: failure, forgiveness, more failure then deeper forgiveness, on and on, until pay dirt—‘Jesus, I surrender and am willing to do what You want…’
Such merciful struggle and surrender creates merciful healers. I think of my friend Gary who suffered nearly intolerable shame with same-sex struggles and sin in a variety of religious settings. After his wife left him, he surrendered to Jesus and a group of faithful ones who loved him into the man he is today. Or Diane who grew up thinking sexual abuse is the common love offered by older neighbors until she surrendered her broken adult relationships to Jesus and a supportive group of women. Or Kevin who as a pastor knew deeply his divided motives toward a series of women he served in his parish until he decided to come clean and get the help he needed.
Divided all, now united to Christ, these Samaritans are powerful dispensers of ‘living waters’ to others. They go the distance with fellow strugglers because of their deep gratitude to Jesus and His Church. Primed with mercy, they see and feel and act toward others out of that mercy.
Gary, Diane and Kevin help me to look with new eyes upon the story of the Good Samaritan (LK 10:25-37); I understand now why the Samaritan saw and acted heroically toward the oppressed man rather than holy Jews who perceived only an obstacle in their path. Divided, she had been united by mercy. Mercy transformed the Samaritan’s grid and goaded her to give herself away to another.
As a Pharisee scrutinized both, Jesus addressed an unclean woman weeping at His feet: ‘She who has been forgiven of much will love much.’ (Lk 7: 47) So do all Samaritans made good by the mercy of God. May Jesus make the Church a Good Samaritan for all broken ones who cry out for mercy.
Please join us as we pray for:
Conferences: For our 2015 conferences, scheduled in Reseda, CA, Virginia and proposed in Chicago and Ohio.
Aguas Vivas: Bocono, Venezuela, Betsy – Coordinator: Grace and all they need to run their group in the midst of a highly unstable political climate.
Courage: For the Lord to continue to strengthen and protect the leaders: Father Paul Check, Director and Angelo Sabella, Program Manager. For grace to equip and unify chapters of Courage around the country. Also for the new Courage documentary to impact many with the message of chastity; and for no more production problems with a current media project.
“Courage for Reverend Justin Welby (Archbishop of Canterbury), that he would ensure that the Church becomes a clear fountain of transformation for persons with same-sex attraction!”
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