You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever. (Psalm 16:11)
April 14, 2026
Hello Everyone —
Having just celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday (aka Second Sunday of Easter), I was reflecting on the question and the “punchline” that serve to conclude the scriptural story of the Good Samaritan.
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.” (Luke 10:36-37)
A true story is told about a priest in a parish on the East Coast who decided to use the parable of the Good Samaritan — and the victim he helped — as the topic for discussion with a weekly prayer group of young adults.
Thinking that those gathered would be immediately impressed by the Samaritan’s extreme generosity and kindness — he was surprised when a number of those present were critical of the Samaritan’s efforts.
Some called what he did foolish. After all, they reasoned, it could have been a scam — the victim could have been pretending to be hurt and, when someone stopped to help, he and his partners in crime who were hiding nearby would attack the Samaritan — rob him — beat him — and then leave him for dead.
Another suggested that – as frequently happens in similar circumstances — the one who came to the aid of another could be subsequently sued by the victim and wind up the victim instead.
Still others in the discussion group said the risk was too great — the Samaritan should have done the equivalent of calling 911 and leave the rest to the authorities.
One person even suggested that the victim would resent being helped by an enemy — which the Samaritans were to the Jews at the time — and would rather be avoided at all costs than become ritually unclean through contact with the Samaritan.
Throughout the discussion, the priest was haunted by Jesus’ words:
“But who was neighbor to the victim of the robbers?” Initially, he thought the message was so obvious.
Finally, one woman in the group had a completely different take on the whole situation. She shared from her own experience that after the tragedy of 9/11 — every time she read the newspaper and saw a picture of Osama bin Laden — she could feel her face tightening in anger — her blood pressure rising — and her heart filling with hatred for someone she never met.
These reactions only increased in her as time passed, and she knew she had to do something to stop it. So, finally one day, she cut out a picture of bin Laden from the newspaper — laminated it — and carried it in her pocket.
And every time she would reach into her pocket and felt the laminated picture — she would remember to pray for him. She did not tell God what to do with him or about him — but she simply offered an ancient prayer which dates to the third century: Lord, as you see and as you know, have mercy.
I invite you to take a moment and to think about the numerous news reports you and I take in each day — reports of violence — blood shed — extreme cruelty and hatred — the types of things that harden our hearts and cause our spirits to become calloused.
Then, think for a moment about the person who causes you the most discomfort or when called to mind really irritates you. Perhaps the person is least like you — maybe he or she is most like you. Hold on to that thought for a moment — and before you jettison it from your mind — say a prayer for them — asking God to be merciful to them and to love them.
After all, recall the answer to the question that began this reflection and then “go and do likewise.”
As I do for you, please pray for me,
Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee
