Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass in the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova. The Pope's homily focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable challenges individuals to reflect on their lives and the importance of compassion. The homily emphasizes the significance of seeing others with compassion, mirroring God's perspective.
5 months ago
Pope Leo XIV, during a Mass at the Pontifical Parish of St. Thomas of Villanova in Castelgandolfo, delivered a homily centered on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37) 1. The Pope emphasized that this parable serves as a constant challenge, prompting reflection on one's life and warning against a complacent faith satisfied merely with outward observance of the law 1.
The core message of the parable, as explained by Pope Leo XIV, lies in "how we look at others" 1. He distinguished between a superficial, distracted way of seeing that pretends not to notice, and a deeper, compassionate seeing that involves the "eyes of the heart" 1. This compassionate gaze entails looking more closely, empathizing, sharing in another's experience, and allowing oneself to be touched and challenged by their plight 1.
Pope Leo XIV presented the Good Samaritan as a figure of Jesus Christ himself 1. Just as the Samaritan saw the wounded man and had compassion, God looked upon humanity with compassion and sent Jesus to walk our path, heal our wounds, and pour out the balm of His love and mercy 1. Pope Francis, as cited by Leo XIV, also referred to Jesus as "the compassion of the Father toward us" 1.
To believe in Christ and be His disciple means allowing oneself to be transformed and to adopt His compassionate feelings 1. This involves cultivating a heart that is moved, eyes that truly see, hands that help, and shoulders ready to bear the burdens of those in need 1. The Pope highlighted that obeying God's law of love is not about multiplying outward acts, but about discovering the law of love written in one's heart 1.
Pope Leo XIV asserted that today's world urgently needs a "revolution of love" 1. He likened the road from Jerusalem to Jericho to the path traveled by those descending into sin, suffering, and poverty, including victims of tyrannical systems, economic hardship, and war 1. The Pope challenged the faithful to question whether they "look and walk by" or "open their hearts," urging them not to limit their definition of "neighbor" to those within their own group, nationality, or religion 1. He referenced Benedict XVI, who noted that the Samaritan's heart was "wrenched open," demonstrating that one must learn to "be a neighbor deep within" 1. Ultimately, true fraternity and the breaking down of barriers occur when the needs of others are allowed to touch one's heart, proving that love is more powerful than evil 1.
How does the Church define neighborly love and compassion?
The Church defines neighborly love and compassion through the lens of Christ's teachings, particularly the Parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing that love for one's neighbor is inseparable from the love of God and extends universally to all people, especially those in need .
The concept of neighborly love is rooted in the greatest commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself" . This dual commandment forms the basis of all law and the prophets .
Jesus illustrates the meaning of "neighbor" through the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) . A lawyer, seeking to justify himself, asks Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" . Jesus responds with the story of a man attacked by robbers, left half-dead on the road. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan, traditionally an outsider and not esteemed by Jews, is moved by pity .
The Samaritan's actions demonstrate true mercy and compassion:
Through this parable, Jesus transforms the understanding of "neighbor." It is not about classifying who is close enough to be helped, but about actively becoming a neighbor to anyone in need . The question shifts from "Who is my neighbor?" to "Who made himself a neighbor?" . The answer is "The one who showed mercy" .
In essence, the Church defines neighborly love and compassion as an active, universal, and self-sacrificing commitment to care for anyone in need, mirroring the boundless mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ .