'Go and Do Likewise'

By ISAAC LANDSTEINER, DIRECTOR OF PARISH SOCIAL MINISTRY

We began a recent meeting at Catholic Charities by reading the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), followed by some excerpts from Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti (#69-79). In these paragraphs, Pope Francis reflects on each of the characters in the parable, writing:

Each day we have to decide whether to be Good Samaritans or indifferent bystanders. And if we extend our gaze to the history of our own lives and that of the entire world, all of us are, or have been, like each of the characters in the parable. All of us have in ourselves something of the wounded man, something of the robber, something of the passersby, and something of the Good Samaritan (#79).

As we discussed how each of us sees ourselves in these characters, one of our program directors shared that they see the work we do at Catholic Charities as that of the innkeeper - the innkeeper - that often overlooked character who doesn’t fit neatly into our moral categories. Unlike the robbers and the passersby, he is not one of the “bad guys.” Nor is he clearly one of the “good guys.” After all, unlike the Good Samaritan, he isn’t giving freely of his time and treasure to care for this wounded man; he is simply doing his job. And yet, his job is to do works of mercy: to shelter the homeless, to welcome the stranger, and even to care for the wounded.

So it is here at Catholic Charities. Every day, countless men and women in need are brought to our door: homeless people looking for a warm place to sleep; refugee families fleeing ethnic or religious persecution; expecting moms in need of a little support to help them choose life. All are welcomed in and helped by the many staff members whose job it is to do the works of mercy. But for every person in need who makes it to our door, many more are left wounded on the road.

Partners in Charity

One of the central themes of Pope Francis’ papacy has been fostering a Church that reaches out to those on the margins. As much as institutions like Catholic Charities are necessary in order to organize the work of charity, they cannot replace the essential role of Good Samaritans loving the wounded neighbors they encounter on the journey of life.

This, I suspect, is the reason that the image of the innkeeper struck me so powerfully. Not only does it describe the work we do at Catholic Charities, it illustrates how essential the partnership is between Catholic Charities and individual Good Samaritans, Catholic and non-Catholic alike. In the parable, and in life, the robbers and the passersby can be said to be “partners in crime.” So too, the innkeepers and the Good Samaritans must be “partners in charity.”

We rely on the generosity of donors and the support of volunteers to make our many programs and services possible. But we also rely on Good Samaritans to reach the wounded men and women we cannot reach. In the mystery of God’s providence, He has put people in your life that only you can touch, that only you can reach, that only you can help.

Mercy Sundays

That’s why, in addition to the work we do each day as “innkeepers,” Catholic Charities has also been working with the Diocese to promote the Mercy Sundays initiative as a part of the Eucharistic Revival.

At the heart of this initiative is the recognition that we are praying and expectantly hoping for a revival not only of Eucharistic Faith, but of Eucharistic Service as well. After all, as St. Paul reminds us, “If I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2). Most Catholics know that we are called to keep the Lord’s Day holy by worshiping God at Mass and refraining from paid work as much as possible on Sundays. What many do not know is that there is also a long-standing Christian tradition of dedicating time on Sundays to doing the Works of Mercy (CCC 2185-2186). This is where the name Mercy Sundays comes from.

The Mercy Sundays initiative will encourage and equip Catholics in our diocese to be Good Samaritans, rather than indifferent passersby, by focusing on four different areas:

1. Teaching about the connection between the presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the presence of Christ in the poor.

2. Inspiring individuals and families to commit to doing the Works of Mercy by offering concrete, practical ideas of what that might look like.

3. Engaging large groups of parishioners in service projects in order to give people the opportunity to try something they’ve always been interested in, but might not yet be ready to commit to.

4. Connecting parishioners to ongoing ministries related to the Works of Mercy in their parish, so that Mercy Sundays isn’t just “checking a box,” but instead is leading to a sustained habit of service.

More information about the Mercy Sundays initiative will be available on the webpage for the Eucharistic Revival: eucharist.dowr.org.

As the materials and resources for this initiative roll out, I encourage you to set aside some time during Lent to read the Parable of the Good Samaritan and reflect individually, or as a family, on how God is calling you to be a Good Samaritan. Here are some questions you may find helpful:

• When in my life have I been like each of the characters in this parable?

• Which do I feel I am most like now?

• When I think about each of these characters, does anyone in my life (besides myself) come to mind?

• How am I called to show them mercy?

My hope and prayer for all of us is that every Sunday, as we go forth into the world, having just witnessed the greatest act of Mercy from the true Good Samaritan, we may be strengthened and inspired to “go and do likewise."

Isaac Landsteiner is the Director of Parish Social Ministry for Catholic Christies of Southern Minnesota