The Prodigal Son Meets the Good Samaritan

The First Reading Luke 15:11-32
(11) Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. (12) The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. (13) A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. (14) When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. (15) So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. (16) He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. (17) But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (18) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; (19) I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” (20) So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. (21) Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” (22) But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. (23) And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; (24) for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. (25) ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. (26) He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. (27) He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” (28) Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (29) But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. (30) But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” (31) Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. (32) But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’

The Second Reading Luke 10:25-37
(25) Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (26) He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” (27) He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (28) And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.” (29) But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (30) Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. (31) Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. (32) So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (33) But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. (34) He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (35) The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ (36) Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” (37) He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”