15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The following message is to be read while looking at the front cover of this week's bulletin:

In his painting The Good Samaritan (found on the cover of todays bulletin), 17th-century Dutch artist Jan Wijnants brings the famous parable of Christ to life with striking realism. Known for his detailed landscapes, Wijnants sets the scene on a rugged, barren road that winds through rocky hills. The figures of the Samaritan and the wounded man are small compared to the vastness of the landscape, highlighting how acts of mercy often unfold in the hidden corners of ordinary life, unseen by the world but noticed by God.

At the center of the scene, the Samaritan leans over the injured man with compassion, binding his wounds. Wijnants intentionally depicts the Samaritan not as a heroic figure in fine clothing but as a simple traveler, reminding us that holiness is often found in unexpected people. Meanwhile, the Levite and priest have already passed by, absent from the frame​.​ Like them, we too can easily can​ easily excuse ourselves from helping others due to fear, inconvenience, or prejudice. The artist invites viewers to examine their own hearts: are we willing to stop for the wounded along life’s road?

Spiritually, the parable reminds us that Christ Himself is the true Good Samaritan. He finds us broken by sin, vulnerable, and left for dead by the wayside. Through His mercy, He binds our wounds, carries us, and pays the price for our healing. Wijnants’ painting, with its vast road and quiet compassion, calls us to imitate Christ by showing mercy to those we encounter, especially the overlooked and the suffering. As disciples, may we never pass by the wounded, but draw near with love that reflects the heart of Jesus.