In reflecting on the parable of the good Samaritan, I felt compelled to share a similar encounter of compassion and healing that I witnessed on a retreat. On the first evening, a retreatant shared that he was unhappy and filled with anger for most of his life. You could sense his bitterness when he spoke, and you could see it in his body language. This was a man who was visibly beaten by this world, robbed of joy, isolated, and searching for help.
The following morning, I was present when a ‘good Samaritan’ invited the unsettled retreatant to Eucharistic Adoration. The man did not know what Adoration was, and I overheard the simple explanation: “Just come and sit in the Presence of Jesus Christ.” I entered the Chapel and knelt a few pews behind. After a few minutes, the broken man began to cry, and his cries turned into loud sobs with moments of deep inspiration to catch his breath. This went on for several minutes as he stared intently into the Blessed Sacrament. Eventually, a beautiful sense of peace settled over him like a child in the loving arms of a parent.
He announced joyfully at the end of the retreat that he was no longer angry or lost, thanks to his recent encounter with the risen and glorified Jesus Christ in Adoration! We could visibly see the difference. He was a changed man with newfound peace!
Jesus, the Good Samaritan, invites us to become like Him, filled with love, mercy, and compassion. Through the Holy Eucharist, we have the remedy for all the spiritual, emotional, and physical pain that we encounter on this journey.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 34:18)
Have you invited anyone to sit in His living Presence?
Let Us Pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all the good Samaritans that you have sent to help us in our lives. Through the supreme gift of the Eucharist, help us to be more like you in all that we say and do. Help us to reach out with love and mercy and give us the strength, wisdom, and fortitude to love like you with our whole heart, soul, and mind. We pray all of this in Jesus Holy Name. Amen.
In loving memory of Ramiro Ramirez Jr., October 16, 1953 – June 20, 2026 – Messenger of His Real Presence, Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Good Samaritan
