Two weeks ago we began the journey to Jerusalem with Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. As I mentioned two Sundays ago, Luke uses this travel narrative as a way to organize Jesus’ teaching on discipleship---that this journey is really a “School of Discipleship.” For us, this special Lukan school of discipleship will stretch through the end of October.
Along the way we will learn what it means to “be” a disciple. I want to stress that word “be,” because we so often define ourselves by what we do, instead of who we are. We find our identity in where we work, what we earn, and what we accomplish. We are tempted to think of discipleship in a similar way, and so discipleship becomes just another thing we do. However, in this “School of Discipleship” we will learn from Jesus that being a disciple is more about who we are than what we do, for what we do flows from who we are. Our mission flows from our identity.
So, during these 4 months as we travel with Jesus in Luke’s Gospel up to Jerusalem, he will teach us qualities which are essential for true disciples. I will be using Fr. Boyer’s bulletin reflections on the upcoming Sunday Gospel as a starting point for reflecting on these qualities of discipleship.
Last Sunday when Jesus sent the 72 disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of God with nothing except their trust in God’s providence, we discovered that disciples are poor. Disciples recognize that everything they need comes from the hand of God, so they are free from anxiety and worry about material things, which have nothing to do with who they are.
The consequence of being poor and recognizing God’s loving providence is that disciples are also joyful. Remember how the 72 returned full of joy to share with Jesus all that God had done through them. He then points them to the deepest source of their joy---their names are written in heaven.
Poor and joyful are two qualities of disciples.
Today’s lesson from the Master Teacher is all about the quality of mercy. Disciples live from the mercy of God and share that mercy with others without judgment.
Jesus teaches the scholar of the Law and us that to be his disciples means we cannot limit our mercy to a certain group whom we consider to be our neighbor. Rather, we are called to “Be Neighbor” to anyone in need, no matter who they are. Once again this is a quality of being, a mark of Christian identity, this being neighbor which shows itself in mercy. It is never a matter of whether or not someone deserves assistance--- disciples of mercy simply see the need and respond.
The quality of mercy is something that is consistent throughout the disciples’ life. Mercy not only shows itself in response to huge disasters but is also revealed in the daily life of the disciple who is constantly aware of human need. Disciples are in touch with the suffering of others each day.
The Samaritan who Jesus holds up as an example of Mercy is well-practiced in this daily awareness of the suffering of others. We get the sense from the parable that this is not the first time he has reacted with compassion to those he finds hurting along the road of his life. On the other hand, those religious folk who avoid the man in need seem to be concerned only for themselves and have not cultivated the quality of mercy in their life.
Another important point about this quality of mercy is that it cannot be measured out. Notice the incredible generosity of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan not only provides first aid for the man’s wounds, but he also provides him a place to recover. Then the Samaritan stays with him at the inn overnight, changing his bandages, bringing the hurting man water and food.
But these deeds flowing from his merciful heart do not end there. When he leaves the next morning, the Good Samaritan not only gives the innkeeper money to cover any expenses but also tells him that if it costs more, then I will pay you back.
As women and men of mercy, we never measure mercy out.
Disciples are merciful because they have experienced the mercy of God. Disciples of Jesus Christ, the Merciful One, are constantly receiving from Him His merciful love, so all they are doing is allowing His mercy to flow through them into the world. It is from this living relationship with the Lord Jesus that disciples discover their identity and then find the fuel for their many missions of mercy.
St. Paul, who experienced so powerfully the saving mercy of God through Christ, teaches the community of Colossae and this faith community in Mustang that the worth and the value of everything and everyone comes in and through Christ. Nothing makes any sense except in Him. In Christ, everything, and St. Paul means every-thing, is held together. Without Christ, everything falls apart. His supreme sacrifice of love from the cross holds everything and everyone together.
Our world has meaning and beauty because it is a reflection of Christ, in and through and for whom everything is created. But all creation, including you and I, are not only imprinted with the image of the divine, but we also are redeemed by Christ’s blood as he saves us.
Jesus Christ, as the Good Samaritan, finds humanity broken and bleeding alongside the road of history and by his cross and resurrection, by his dying and rising, lifts up hurting humanity and brings healing and new life.
The God-Man, Jesus Christ, is the source of mercy. He is merciful as his Father is merciful. We can be as merciful as our Heavenly Father as long as we remain in Communion with His Merciful Son.
As disciples, we are poor but rich in mercy. As disciples, we are filled with joy because of God’s mercy toward us in Christ. As disciples, we become God’s gift of mercy to all the hurting ones of this world.