The Samaritan and the sheep

Jesus said; do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  We know very well, in other verses before Jesus’ ascension into heaven he says; Go and make all disciples of all Nations. I found it contradictory.  Samaritans are not exception; they are part of the nations.

The Samaritans are not the Jews. Who will be a prophet among the Samaritans? Samaritan woman met Jesus in the well.  She was the first among Samaritans who recognized Jesus as Messiah after Jesus revealed himself to her. She became a prophet for her own people.

Jesus has many followers.  Among them he chooses only the twelve disciples. As humans, the chosen felt “better” than the others but Jesus reminds them not to be involved in all. In other words Jesus reminded them not to judge others. It is better to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  

This has deep meaning for me.  As a young sister newly professed, I feel “better” than others. I know and I can do many things. I am work faster.  I am an observer. I am assertive. I am generous. I am creative. I am a daring person. I am confident. I am a strong person and finally……………. I am proud of myself!

In today’s Gospel Jesus remind me how not to be proud with all that he gives to me, rather more humbly look my “sheep”. One of the authors says; we live the way we pray, and we pray the way we live. I felt ashamed. When I realized, my prayer is far away with what I live. Probably, Jesus saw at the character in the twelve. They can do either proud or humble. Every one of us has the tendency to be proud or to be humble. Humility is not guaranteed if we are praying everyday; the important is how we really lift up our hearts to God.

How we relate our prayer with our way of life? True prayer penetrates and transforms the totality of our life but in God’s time. Everything is possible, when God’s time come. So who are the Samaritans? And who is the sheep? The Samaritans are my neighbors.  The sheep is my own being. I do believe, Jesus will reveal in me as he revealed to others.

bykristprast