“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”....
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
There's a comic scene in George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (which inspired the musical, "My Fair Lady). Eliza's father, Alfred Doolittle, has little interest in his daughter but is more than willing to capitalize on her good fortune. With a talent for entertaining, he goes on the road, and eventually to America, lecturing about his philosophy of life, which is the life of the "undeserving poor." Apparently his audiences assume he is making that up, but he is in fact, the least deserving of all beggars. He's the type who give the profession a bad name, and he makes a fortune do so..
Many people, and Americans in particular, are more than willing to share with the "deserving poor" their discretionary funds, but refuse to give to rascals like Alfred Doolittle. We've all heard the myth of a beggar who commutes daily from a comfortable suburban home after a hard day on the street. We sometimes suspect lobbyists in the world's capitals are only beggars on a grand scale. Shaw's comic character raises the question of who is deserving and what makes them so.
Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan brushes right past the question of which poor person is deserving. The waylaid traveler lies pathetically by the side of the road. Has he brought this trouble on himself? He was apparently traveling alone on a highway known for its predators. Perhaps his foolishness cancels his worthiness? He really should have known better; why didn't he? Can we safely blame the victim here, ignore his plight, and go on our way?
The Good Samaritan doesn't hesitate. He sees an unfortunate human being and he acts humanely. Not only does he fail to ask if the victim is worthy, he dismisses their ethnic difference. The victim, if he is really steeped in hatred, might even regard his rescuer with contempt. But, helpless as he is, he accepts the stranger's assistance, even that of a despised Samaritan.
Nor does the question of deserving poor appear in Saint Matthew's extended parable of the Judgement Day. In this vision of the future, the LORD blesses those who assisted him in his need, and condemns those who refused. That these people of all nations do not remember caring specifically for him -- "When did we see you?" they ask -- shows that they did not act out of overtly religious motives. Some of these nations might not be Christian! Apparently, the Lord rewards those who cared for their fellow human beings, regardless of their worth or religion.
The undeserving are those who can help but do not. The Judge ignores their wealth, status, education, and refinement as he sends them to their inevitable doom.
Our Catholic religion continually reminds the faithful as we pray together, of our unworthiness to have him come under our roof, or that we should abide under his. The very concept of worth seems worthless. We can neither judge ourselves nor others with it.
Rather, the just respect the divine image in every human being and honor their dignity, regardless.
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.