RELIGION OF INCARNATION

Once there were a Franciscan, a Dominican, and a Jesuit in a room when the lights went out. The Franciscan said, “My brothers, let us take this opportunity to consider the debt we owe to our sister, the light.” The Jesuit said, “Yes, but let us also take this opportunity to discern the difference between light and dark.” Meanwhile, the Dominican went to the basement, found the fuse box, and reset the breaker. In life, we can be too theoretical, so much so that we neglect the practicality of life. Such is true in our way of dealing with laws that God gives to us. 

We are to listen and heed the commandments of the Lord. Moses urges us: "heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, with all your heart and all your soul." It is short of saying "with all your being;" to give our undivided attention to God. These commandments and statutes are not to remain in our heads alone, for they are meant to be lived out. We have to carry them out. We know the ten commandments of the Lord. Jesus summarized them into great laws of love: love God and love your neighbor.

These precepts are not difficult to comprehend, for an example had been set before us by no less than the Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ. Through Christ’s incarnation, He showed us how to become children of God by means of obeying the will of the Father even if it meant laying down one’s life for a friend. He made visible what used to be unseen so that sensible beings as we are, we may understand what it means to be children of God. Jesus put into practice what He preaches. God is not a distant god instructing us how we can obey His commandments that can bring forth life to us.

This is the best way to illustrate the commandments of God. More than words it is by action that we can distinctly manifest our understanding of the commandments of God. Jesus showed that to us as He is our God incarnate: the Word made flesh. 

In the gospel (Lk 10:25-37) we heard of the story of the Good Samaritan. We can learn that there are two ways of approaching the laws.

The priest and Levite, who simply passed by the wounded person, have become prisoners of the texts of the laws by rigidly following them. In their desire to remain pure, as prescribed by the law, they did not dare to touch the wounded person on the road, as probably they were on their way to Jerusalem to worship and observe the law. Probably they too were moved with pity. "Naawa rin sila." But their pity was not genuine since it remains an intention alone; only a theory; only in their mind. Sometimes, we can also be the priest and Levite who simply passed by those in need. We say "Kawawa naman sila." After that emotion tripping, we move on and go our way. We like or love a post in social media but do no substantial thing to remove the suffering of our neighbor. "Dinaanan lang nila."

The law liberated the Samaritan. He was freed to do the spirit of the law, to make the lives of fellow human beings, especially those who are suffering better. As he saw the wounded person, he drew closer to him. He was moved with compassion and did something. He poured wine and oil to comfort the wounded. He placed the wounded on his beast and carry him to an inn. The laws did not impede the Samaritan to be compassionate and free the suffering of others. The laws enabled him to do so through the acceptance of the spirit of the law. We may be well versed with the law, but true knowledge of it lies on the fulfillment of the spirit of the law. We must receive the laws not by knowledge alone but by doing them, by avoiding sin and the suffering it inflicts us.

The Good Samaritan can be a figure of Christ who descended from heaven that He may bind our wounds inflicted by our sins. He binds our wounds through his divine justice (wine) and mercy (oil). "Hinaplos tayo ng awa at habag ng Dios nang mapanumbalik ang ating lakas." As if that is not enough, He entrusts us to an inn, the Church that serves a field hospital for us who are spiritually wounded; to the innkeepers, the apostles, and with twopences (coins) that is the two-fold commandment of love.  

From the parable of the Good Samaritan, we realize that ours is a religion of incarnation; not of thoughts, of feelings or emotions but of action too. Our faith and knowledge of the laws move us to act; to alleviate the suffering of others that in the process they cease to be others but persons whom we know as we touch their lives, or better yet, as they touch our lives.

As we listen and heed the voice of God we are moved closer to Him, closer to becoming like Him, who heard the cry of His people and was moved with compassion to alleviate the suffering of His friends.

Nawa’y di lang natin malaman ang paghihirap ng kapwa!

Nawa’y di lang natin sila kaawaan!

Nawa’y matupad natin ang ibig ng utos na itinakda ng Diyos, na ibsan ang paghihirap ng kapwa.

May we treat our suffering neighbors with mercy and compassion. This is what Jesus did. This is what He urges us to do as he says: Go forth, and do likewise!