Today's Gospel reading (that being Monday, October 5) is the famous parable of the good Samaritan. Famous, well known and well understood by all. In fact it is a parable that even non religious people find inspiring.
And yet, as it so often happens with Scripture, there is always something else to find in it.
We all know that the priest and the Levite who avoid the poor beaten man and walk to the other side represent those who officially take up positions of religious authority, but are mostly interested in their own affairs rather than that of their neighbor. All perfectly correct.
But we can look at a small detail of this story from a different angle. These are two people who made a wrong choice, while the Samaritan (remember, that means someone considered as unworthy by the Jews) showed himself to be the true neighbor. Does that make the priest and the Levite evil? Are they beyond salvation? Should we condemn them for ever and ever?
I think not. I think that our response to people who act in this way should be to pray for them. Not justify their action, not save them from any just punishment they may deserve from the appointed autorities, but not throw the first stone either. Which character reflects the way we would behave in that situation? Are we sure?
I think that we should pray for those who make wrong choices, that they (and we) may realize the errors, repent of them and do better in the future.
As I state this, I am thinking of Bishop Lahey. If, as it looks like, he has done something morally and legally bad, he should pay the price for his actions. But that is up to the state and his episcopal brothers to decide. Our role right now is to pray for him, so that he may spend the rest of his life correcting his mistakes, staying away from sin and turning towards the God who loves him and that (I amd ocnvinced) he loves.
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