In today’s Gospel, we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan. The scholar questioning Jesus wishes to clarify who his neighbor is, no doubt to exclude some people he sees as unworthy. Jesus’ answer probably turns the scholar’s world upside down, but he is led to respond to Jesus’ question: “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Today we also celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, recalling the Battle of Lepanto that was won on October 7, 1571. It is for this reason that the month of October is traditionally dedicated to the Rosary. So, how does this Gospel connect to this Feast? Easily, I think.
Many would say they see Jesus in the role of the Good Samaritan but I actually see Mary in this role. When those who say they love Jesus would avoid caring for the Samaritan, Mary’s motherly care would bandage their wounds and take the injured person to an inn where they can recuperate.
In the same way, and especially through the intercession of the Rosary, Mary cares for the personal wounds of our heart and soul and brings all things, personal and communal, to Jesus for healing. Her tenderness intercedes for us where words fail. When we are so broken we can only mutter well-known, structured prayers, the Rosary lays out for us all that we need: praying as Jesus’ taught us in the Our Father, asking Mary’s heavenly intercession in the Hail Mary, and praising and glorifying the Holy Trinity in the Glory Be. Mary later requested that the Fatima prayer be added, begging release of both our own sins and for those of all humanity.
When all else fails you, take up your Rosary and pray it, knowing that Mary will be present as your Mother to comfort you and take your intentions to Jesus. And let us imitate Mary as the perfect disciple of Christ, caring for each other’s wounds.
En el Evangelio de hoy escuchamos la parábola del Buen Samaritano. El erudito que interroga a Jesús quiere aclarar quién es su prójimo, sin duda para excluir a algunas personas que considera indignas. La respuesta de Jesús probablemente pone patas arriba el mundo del erudito, pero se ve obligado a responder a la pregunta de Jesús: “El que tuvo compasión de él”.
Hoy también celebramos la fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Rosario, que recuerda la Batalla de Lepanto que se ganó el 7 de octubre de 1571. Es por eso que el mes de octubre está tradicionalmente dedicado al Rosario. Entonces, ¿cómo se conecta este Evangelio con esta fiesta? Fácilmente, creo.
Muchos dirían que ven a Jesús en el papel del Buen Samaritano, pero yo la veo a María en este papel. Cuando los que dicen amar a Jesús evitan cuidar al samaritano, el cuidado maternal de María venda sus heridas y lleva al herido a una posada donde puede recuperarse.
De la misma forma, y especialmente por intercesión del Rosario, María cuida las heridas personales de nuestro corazón y alma y lleva todas las cosas, personales y comunitarias, a Jesús para que las sane. Su ternura intercede por nosotros donde las palabras fallan. Cuando estamos tan destrozados que solo podemos murmurar oraciones conocidas y estructuradas, el Rosario nos ofrece todo lo que necesitamos: orar como Jesús nos enseñó en el Padrenuestro, pedir la intercesión celestial de María en el Ave María y alabar y glorificar a la Santísima Trinidad en el Gloria. María pidió más tarde que se añadiera la oración de Fátima, pidiendo la liberación tanto de nuestros propios pecados como de los de toda la humanidad.
Cuando todo lo demás te falle, toma tu Rosario y reza, sabiendo que María estará presente como tu Madre para consolarte y llevar tus intenciones a Jesús. Imitemos a María como la discípula perfecta de Cristo, curando las heridas de los demás.
Mary Thissen is a St. Louis native living in East Central Illinois with her husband and children. She is blessed with twin boys Earthside and four children now living in Heaven. When she is not working as a healthcare data analyst or caring for her boys, she enjoys studying and writing about the Catholic faith and ministering to women who are suffering through miscarriage or infertility. You can connect with Mary on Instagram @waitingonmiracles.
Feature Image Credit: ikolotas0, pixabay.com/photos/rosary-praying-hand-black-and-white-716250/
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