Receiving with a compassionate heart

The Samaritan of the Gospel

is remembered

as the Good Samaritan.

He dismounted from his horse,

forgot about his security and was moved,

because he was able to see what others could not.

I wish that my daughters and sons

always guard the ability to be moved within their hearts.

I wish they will always dismount from their horses,

whatever they represent each time:

the security of having already done something,

the security that it is time for others to act,

the security of not seeing.

I wish that compassion inhabits

my heart and those of my children.

When our hearts are locked, there is no intelligence

that can open our eyes.

Compassion is the ability of putting ourselves

in the shoes of somebody else,

be them hurt, disappointed or betrayed,

with love and responsibility.

We wish to be like Jesus for our neighbours,

and for whoever we meet

who is weary or oppressed.

 

«But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”» (Luke 10, 29-37).

Comment by Rosanna Tabasso

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