Scripture Scribbles: July 13, 2025

the Gospel

Luke 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
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."

the scribble

A burly, disheveled man holding a torn cardboard sign with faded lettering stands as a seemingly permanent fixture at the intersection. He’d be a monthly budget item if I gave him something every time I passed by. At times, my response to him has been less than charitable—my judgmental mind quickly recalling 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone was unwilling to work, neither should that one eat.” 

Sometimes it is hard to recognize Christ. The priest and Levite walked by the stripped and beaten man, not realizing that they were walking past Christ, “a man of suffering, like one from whom you turn your face” (Isaiah 53:3). I too drove by, instead of offering a gift card, smile, wave, or moment of conversation. 

Rather than physically, some people are emotionally marred and hurt others as a result. They too reflect a hidden, wounded Christ. Showing mercy  to those who never acknowledge the harm they inflict becomes even more challenging—impossible without the grace of God: Divine Mercy.

Fr. Mike Schmitz beautifully categorizes ways to love. Justice—love those who deserve it. Charity—love those who may or may not deserve it. Mercy—love those who don’t deserve it. Jesus calls us to love with mercy because this is how we have been loved. Mercy: least deserved, most needed. I have experienced the immensity of God’s mercy. How can I not extend this mercy to others? Jesus, let your love flow from your merciful heart through my heart to fill others.

Today’s devotion was written by Karen Molvar