This weekend marks the launch of our Annual Diocesan Appeal, in which every parish in our Diocese works together to contribute to the work of Catholic Charities and the various ministries of our diocesan Church. 60% of these funds go towards Catholic Charities and their ministry to the poor, while the other 40% support causes like helping young men discern the priesthood in our diocese, bolstering the work of our youth and young adult accompaniment office, and supporting the Office of Catholic schools, among other things. Our parish goal this year is $40,400.
Given that so much of this appeal will help those who are most in need, it is indeed appropriate that on the cover of our bulletin and in the body of Bishop Bonnar’s letter, the story of the Good Samaritan is featured prominently. We all know the story – a man lies beaten and bruised on the road, and while the important members of society pass him by, the outsider Samaritan picks him up and cares for him.
The story has been retold throughout history in many ways, but one retelling that I’m particularly fond of comes from that profound and ever-insightful resource of biblical scholarship – VeggieTales. In this retelling, Larry the Cucumber has been robbed on the road and finds himself stuck headfirst in a hole with the rest of him sticking above ground. When the asparagus mayor of the town approaches him, Larry thinks he’s in luck. But instead of helping him, the mayor explains in detail why he can’t, and he decides to express himself in song, as one does: “I’m Busy! Busy! Dreadfully busy! You’ve no idea what I have to do! Busy! Busy! Shockingly busy! Much, much too busy for you!” Eventually a doctor comes along with the same excuse, and the two share an extended duet about their “busyness” before moving along to important things.
It’s ridiculous, but so is life! How often have you and I decided that the things on our plate are simply more important than the needs of others. We let ourselves sing “busy, busy!” and forget about what truly matters. An Appeal like this one gives us the chance to put our money where it counts, to help out those beaten and bruised on the road of life. To let Jesus heal our interior blindness, to come out of ourselves, and to become Good Samaritans.