Jonah 1:1 - 2:1, 11 / Luke 10:25-37
There are many characters in today's parable of the Good Samaritan.
Each character had a different attitude towards the wounded man.
To the lawyer, the wounded man was a subject of dicussion.
To the thieves, the wounded man was someone to abuse and exploit.
To the priest and the Levite, the wounded man was a problem to be avoided.
To the Samaritan, the wounded man was a human being who needed immediate help.
So, who is the wounded man to us?
Indeed, there are many wounded people around us - some may be wounded by an unhappy or broken marriage; others by hurting and painful and abusive relationships; others by being neglected and living lonely and meaningless lives.
But these wounded people remind us of ourselves, in that we are also wounded by our own sins.
In the Eucharist, Jesus heals and strengthens us so that we can get up and turn away from our sins and walk in the way of life and love.
Just as Jesus heals and strengthens us, may we also go forth and heal and strengthen others.