The word of Deuteronomy helps us to understand how, the observance of God’s commandments requires the maturation of a gaze capable of recognizing his presence in those who need to be welcomed and helped. It is really true that the word and will of God are not “far away” (Dt 30, 11) to the extent that we learn to be a neighbor. We too are called to become, through an ever more authentic love, nothing less than the “image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15). The Invisible becomes visible every time we know how to come out without going beyond the pain of the other and without ever pretending not to see. The risk is to escape the possibility of being seen, met and saved in turn by mercy and compassion. Rereading the parable of the good Samaritan once again, we receive the consolation and reassurance not to walk our paths alone. The Lord has set out along the insecure routes of our humanity and does not leave us alone: his concern is such as to stop and load us “on his mount” (Lk 10:34). Far be it from us to think of ourselves in the guise of that fourth man who “was on a journey” like all three other men, but unlike these, guided by such a profound “compassion” (10, 33) as to interrupt the journey to take it back later and … only after having reached the goal of life which is the capacity to love. The words and gestures of the Lord Jesus have no other purpose than to open up for us the possibility of living in a similar and resembling way to Christ who never goes to “the other side”, but becomes truly “close”.

Commentary by b. Michael David, osb Community of the Koinonia de la Visitation

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey