Key Points:
In Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman, He did not water down his message-(v. 22 “Salvation Is from the Jews.” ) He didn’t say that the polytheistic beliefs of the Samaritans were good or equally valid. He practiced “charity with clarity.”As we find opportunities to have religious discussions with others, we seek common ground, but we never compromise our proclamation of the Fullness of Truth that was entrusted to the only Church founded by Christ; the Catholic Church. (We pray for the time, the place, the person, the method, and the words to say to share His Truth.) The Royal Official showed that he “believed” in Jesus through his ACTION. (He walked 40 miles round-trip to find Jesus.) 5:22 Jesus WILL ultimately judge our eternal destiny. (Don’t take 3:17 out of context....we as Catholics read scripture as a whole, and through the eyes of the Church. We don’t take one verse and build our whole theology on it.) 5:29 Once again, our actions will demonstrate our belief, and we’ll be judged accordingly. (But God is always willing to forgive us if we ask God.) 5:39 We have the possibility of eternal life through a Person, not a Book. (Though the bible certainly points us to that Person!)
Key Points: Though our invitation to eternal life is a free gift, and we are provided with the “garment” of grace to do good works, we must still prepare ourselves for heaven by cooperating with God’s grace, and doing what God wants. Loving God, and loving your neighbor as yourself sums up the 10 Commandments. (If you love God and everyone, you won’t want to lie, cheat, steal, covet, murder, etc. That’s why Augustine said “Love, and then do as you will.”) We’re not just a social service agency: We have a duty to love God. We’re not just an adoration group: hence the teaching about loving our neighbor. The two “loves” go together: You can’t love God properly WITHOUT loving your neighbor (everybody), since we are all a family and are all brothers and sisters.
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