The Good Samaritan of Mercy: The Gospel of Love in Action

Gal 1:6-12, Psalm: 110, Lk 10:25-37

Memorial of Saint Faustina Kowalska, Virgin (White)

My dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

On this Memorial of Saint Faustina Kowalska, the great Apostle of Divine Mercy, the Word of God presents us with two powerful teachings. Saint Paul warns the Galatians not to turn to a different gospel. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan, revealing that the heart of the Gospel is mercy. Saint Faustina lived this Gospel, becoming a living witness to the mercy of God, and she calls us to do the same.

In his Letter to the Galatians, Saint Paul is astonished that the Galatians are “so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel.” Paul insists that the Gospel he preached is not of human origin. It was received through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul’s Gospel is the Gospel of grace, of mercy, of salvation freely offered to all. It is not a gospel of works, of legalism, or of earning God’s favor. It is a gospel of love.

In the Gospel of Luke, a scholar of the law asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answers, “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.” The scholar, wanting to justify himself, asks, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man is beaten and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by. But a Samaritan—a despised outsider—is moved with compassion. He tends to his wounds, brings him to an inn, and pays for his care. Jesus asks, “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” The scholar answers, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”

The connection between the readings is the Gospel of mercy. Paul warns against a different gospel—a gospel of works, of legalism, of earning salvation. The Good Samaritan shows us the true gospel: a gospel of compassion, of mercy, of love in action. The Samaritan did not ask if the man was worthy. He did not ask if he was of the same tribe or religion. He saw a need and he responded with mercy. This is the Gospel of Divine Mercy.

Saint Faustina understood this Gospel. She was a humble Polish nun who received extraordinary revelations of the mercy of God. She wrote in her diary, “The greatest attribute of God is mercy.” She was called to be a messenger of mercy, to proclaim to the world that God’s mercy is available to all. She knew that mercy is not just a feeling; it is a way of life. It is love in action. It is the willingness to see the suffering of others and to respond with compassion.

Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting on Saint Faustina, said, “She is a model of trust in God’s mercy, a witness to the Gospel of love.” Pope Francis has said, “Mercy is the beating heart of the Gospel. It is the name of God.” And Saint Faustina herself wrote, “I desire that the whole world know My infinite mercy. I desire to pour graces upon souls.”

What does this mean for us? We are called to live the Gospel of mercy. We are called to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are called to be Good Samaritans—to see the needs of those around us and to respond with compassion. We are called to trust in the mercy of God and to extend that mercy to others.

Today, let us examine our hearts. Are we living the Gospel of mercy, or are we turning to a different gospel? Are we passing by those in need, or are we stopping to help? Let us ask the Lord to give us the grace to be instruments of His mercy, to love as He loves, and to be witnesses of the Gospel in our daily lives. Amen.

May God bless you all!