A homily on Luke 10:25–37 reflecting on “He went to him,” showing that helping is not charity but responsibility, with the heart-touching story of a dog saving a wounded cat. (6-10-25)
Praise be to Jesus Christ
Some days ago, a video was shared on WhatsApp. It showed a wounded cat lying helplessly on a railway track after being hit. Just before a train arrived, a stray dog came running, pulled the cat off the track, and saved its life. What makes it more striking is that usually we say dogs and cats are enemies. Yet, in that moment, the dog did not see an enemy. It saw a life in danger, and it went to help.
The Gospel today gives us these words: “He went to him.” The Samaritan did not see a Jew or an enemy. He saw a wounded human being. He understood that to help is not charity, but responsibility. Animals act out of instinct, but we humans have reason and faith. If even a dog can rush to help, what excuse can we make when we pass by a brother or sister in need? In the war-struck world today, this Gospel has even greater value, because we are divided based on colour, creed, nationality, and many other walls we build around ourselves.
Today many people fail to help not because they are hard-hearted, but because they are afraid of being cheated. In our society we often see people pretending to be in need, and when someone offers help, they take advantage or deceive the one who helped. This makes even good-hearted people hesitate. But the Gospel calls us not to close our eyes in fear. To help a fellow being is not something extra, it is our responsibility before God. In the Old Testament, God reminded Israel: “You shall love the stranger, for you were strangers in Egypt.” God Himself came down, walked with His people, and carried them in weakness. His help was never a favour, it was His faithful love.
In our own homes there are Good Samaritans waiting. A father who silently sacrifices, a mother who never counts the hours of her labour, a grandparent who longs for love, a child who desires attention. Sometimes the wounded one is not on the road, but sitting beside us at the dining table. To go to them is not charity. It is our responsibility, because love is the first duty of a Christian.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta used to say, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” The Samaritan remembered that. He went to him, cared for him, carried him, and made sure he was safe. That is the challenge Jesus gives us today.
In religious life too, the call is the same. In a convent or monastery, someone may be wounded by loneliness, by failures, or by lack of affection. If we walk past them, our prayer will be empty. Saint Therese of Lisieux would notice such sisters and give them her smile or a small act of love. She once said, “A word, a smile, is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul.” That is the Samaritan step.
Our families, our communities, our parishes will shine not when we give long sermons, but when we practice these four words: “He went to him.” That one step makes love visible. Without that step, faith remains empty talk. With that step, it becomes flesh, as real as Christ who came down to walk with us.
The stray dog on the railway track reminds us of something deep. Love is not about who is friend or enemy. Love is about seeing the wound and moving toward it. The Gospel is asking us to be human enough to do what even an animal does naturally.
Lord Jesus, give me a generous heart to reach out to the needy. Amen.
⇒If you find this reflection meaningful and fruitful, please share it with others
The Team Search offers retreats, reflections, and classes for religious and others on various biblical themes, the Eucharist, prayer, spiritual direction, Missiology, English phonetics (basic & advanced), Mariology, the Sacraments, the Desert Fathers, and more. We are happy to assist you if you find it hard to get a resource person for any Christian topic.
♦Contact: thesearch1994@gmail.com
God Bless…
Wow what a fabulous reflection