"Recall that Jews have nothing to do with Samaritans" (Jn 4:9). The Jews and the Samaritans had a long history of being enemies. Yet Jesus spoke to and brought salvation to a Samaritan woman (see Jn 4:42). This surprised both the Samaritan woman (Jn 4:9) and Jesus' disciples (Jn 4:27). Jesus also made a Samaritan the hero of His story about loving one's neighbor (Lk 10:33). Then Jesus pointed out that the Samaritan leper was the only one of the ten who were healed that returned to thank Him (Lk 17:16-18). As with the Samaritan woman, Jesus gave salvation to this grateful Samaritan (Lk 17:19). Immediately before Jesus ascended, He promised to give us the Holy Spirit so we could be His "witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, yes, even to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This promise was fulfilled when Philip "went down to the town of Samaria and there proclaimed the Messiah" (Acts 8:5).
Jesus loved and loves Samaritans. Jesus openly proclaims His love for our long-standing enemies – for those whom it is politically correct to vilify and demonize. Jesus loves those whom it is very unpopular to love. By His love for those who are the enemies whom we all agree should be hated, Jesus sets Himself up to be unpopular, persecuted, and hated.
Jesus commands us to love as He loves. Therefore, love your Samaritans and expect to be hated for your love, as Jesus was and is.
| PRAYER: | Father, may I love as You do. |
| PROMISE: | "The lowly may be pardoned out of mercy but the mighty shall be mightily put to the test." –Wis 6:6 |
| PRAISE: | St. Albert proved there is no conflict between science and the Truth. He taught that the Eucharist "is most useful because it bestows the fullness of grace on us in this life." |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College