Luke 10:23-42

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

²³ Then turning to the disciples, Jesus^[a] said to them privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! ²⁴ For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, but did not see it, and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it.”

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.^[b] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” ²⁷ He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸ And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

²⁹ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ³⁰ Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii,^[c] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ ³⁶ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” ³⁷ He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus Visits Martha and Mary

³⁸ Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; ⁴² there is need of only one thing.^[d] Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Meditation Questions & Prayer

Prayer:  Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary… help me to help You save souls.

• What is the key for the eternal life?
• Jesus tells us that our neighbor is any person who is in need of us, how often are you ready to help those who need your help?
• How are the good Samaritan and the man who cared for related? Are they friends or enemies?
• Reread the parable of the Good Samaritan imagining Jesus the man who fell among robbers (sinners), who stripped Him and beat Him.  If you were passing by that road, where do you see yourself fit, are you sometimes in your life like the priest and the Levite who pass by on the other side of the road and did not care?  Or like that good Samaritan who showed compassion and mercy?
• In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” How does this parable inspire you to help others?
• Martha’s life is an example of the life of service, while Mary’s life is an example of the contemplative life. Does your life look more like Martha’s or Mary’s life? In other word, do you make time for prayer and meditation in your busy schedule?