Lessons from the Ditch
I’m glad I was paying attention years ago when our beloved pastor at the time gave his homily on the Good Samaritan – today’s Gospel reading. You’ve all heard the account of Jesus explaining what it means to be a good neighbor (Luke 10:25-37). On that Sunday, Father Thanh proposed an entirely new perspective: we are the man in the ditch, and God is our merciful Samaritan.
Do not let the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the Pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me. Psalm 69:15-16
The psalmist knew many perils lurk to rob us of possessions, joy, comfort and conscious living. He also knew God’s love and mercy are boundless. But we easily forget as we let our worries and anxieties bury us in our own ditches. I got caught up in thieves’ traps many times in my life, and this special sermon woke me up.
From a young age I was taught to follow the directive to be a good neighbor, be kind, lend a helping hand. And it’s an important lesson. But as an adult in my golden years, the equally great lesson – trust in the love and mercy of my ultimate Good Samaritan became clear. He hears my deepest cries even when I cannot speak and reaches into the pit to lift me up when I cannot even move.
Father Thanh from all those years ago at St. Joseph’s parish in Mandarin, Florida, is now Bishop Thanh Thai Nguyen, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange in California. He is a true shepherd in the footsteps of our Lord as his reach across the years pulled me back to the notes I took during his deeply insightful sermon. As Catholic writers let’s always be ready to capture movements of the Holy Spirit – even during sermons. My poem is the fruit of his words and a receptive heart.
The Good Samaritan
by Paula Veloso Babadi
Waylaid by circumstance,
cast down
to eat dust
on deserted roads,
stripped and stricken
but not annihilated,
others pass by
until your holy hand
and gentle heart
bear me to refuge.
Mercy none else dealt.
Blessed by your benevolence,
healed at your bidding,
I dared not hope –
yet I am whole again.
forever I will seek
to be the Good Samaritan
and
the stranger saved by he
Copyright 2022 by Paula Veloso Babadi
- Refuge For This Refugee - July 9, 2023
- It’s Never too Late to Learn from the Baltimore Catechism - April 9, 2023
- Falling Upwards to the Present Moment - March 12, 2023
Beautiful, Paul! And a lesson we need to learn over and over again. I am grateful for your receptive heart.