Bible Question (short): Parable fo the Good Samaritan - Evaluate |
Question (full): I would appreciate comments on this interpretation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan The Good Samaritan Main characters: · Levite – a high ranking representative of Judaism · Priest – a high ranking representative of Judaism · Samaritan – from a community, which was considered, at the time, to be the equivalent of satanic religion (John 8:48, demonstrates the general opinion of Samaritans). This could be compared to modern day attitudes towards Muslims. Comment, this parable: 1. Presents characters representing the extremes in their formal relationships with God 2. Can be focusing on Church attitude, as much as individual attitudes Location of the Parable 1. In Luke 10 – According to the introduction of Luke in the New American Bible, Luke was written for the Churches: with concern for the continuity between the historical ministry of Jesus and the ministry of the apostles is Luke's way of guaranteeing the fidelity of the Church's teaching to the teaching of Jesus. Basic Theme of the Parable 1. The two members of the community most expected to have helped the injured man, did not. 2. The least likely person (perceived to be the furthest in a formal relationship with God) actually helped the person 3. The person, who most exemplified Gods desire for mercy and compassion, was the person who was perceived as being the most distanced from God. This is the person who had no formal training in or introduction to Scripture – or in today’s world, not introduced to the Gospel. Comments 1. The person, who, by all formal measures, should not be eligible for heaven, is in fact, by his actions (although not by his profession of creed), the one closest to what God desires from man. 2. In the Catechism of the Catholic Church ("Outside the Church there is no salvation”) CCC: 847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church: Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation Summary 1. It is our sincere actions (as opposed to ‘good works’), which pleases and honors God, more than our knowledge of Gods Law Application of this Parable By the actions of the Samaritan, which today can be equated to a Muslim, and Jesus’ subsequent approval of the Samaritan, we can conclude that in today’s world, even a Muslim, can also be pleasing to God. Therefore, it is within God’s plan that a Muslim (non-Catholic, non-Christian) can receive salvation. With this, in Vatican II, the Catholic Church has accordingly embraced a relationship with non-Christians, as discussed in CCC 839-845. |