The Evangelical Pope | Faring like the Good Samaritan, the ideal neighbor

Each week we let Saint Pope John Paul II share meaningful signposts to spark socio-economic resolves through justice and righteousness combined with mercy and compassion; in short, love.

               10 “No, please!” said Jacob (renamed ‘Israel.’)
               “If I have found favor in your eyes, accept this gift from me.
               For to see your face (Israel’s brother, ‘Esau’) is like seeing the face of God now that you have received me favorably.
               __ Genesis 33:10 (New International Version)

Brussels, Belgium – 20 May 1985 | Love originates in the heart, moved by the Holy Spirit to make its way to the face, the reflection of the love of God himself.

In art—painting, singing, music, dance, literature, and other forms—this love naturally gives shape to its deepest being and the emotions that vibrate with it.

When man encounters God in faith and responds to his love with all his heart, soul, strength, and mind (cf. Lk 10:27), the true encounter with others only comes about through charity. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-7).

Only that love focuses the gaze on the profound reality of the person one meets. It enables us to sympathize with the other, understand him, see the good that lies dormant in him, and suffer with him in his visible or hidden misery (Luke 10: 33).

Whoever loves his neighbor knows he appeals to him radically and inescapably; he fares like the Good Samaritan. He wants to be close to his neighbor. He shares in the humanity of his brothers and sisters near and far.

Extracted from (translated from Dutch)

VIAGGIO APOSTOLICO NEI PAESI-BASSI SANTA MESSA PER GLI ARTISTI, OMELIA DEL SANTO PADRE GIOVANNI-PAOLO II, Bruxelles, Lunedì, 20 maggio 1985.

https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/nl/homilies/1985/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_19850520_artisti.html