Jesus, the Good Samaritan, Bulgarian Hand Painted Icon. Almost every modern commentary on the biblical text interprets the parable of the Good Samaritan as a moral teaching. However, this is not the main aspect in which the hymnography of the Orthodox Church views this parable. Most commentaries (and most sermons) interpret this parable as a call to the audience to identify with the Good Samaritan (who helped the injured man), and not with the priest or Levite (who passed by). Jesus' words at the end of the passage, "Go and do likewise," fit very well into this reading. The hymnography of the Orthodox Church, however, instructs us to identify with the injured man whom Christ (the Good Samaritan) saves by binding his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them, and then putting him on his beast and taking him to the innkeeper to take care of him until His return. According to the church hymns, the innkeeper symbolizes the bishops and priests of the Church, the oil and wine - the healing grace of the sacramental life, the beast - the flesh of Christ, which bore our sins and brought us from death to Life, the binding of wounds - the church discipline, closing the deep wounds of sin through repentance and confession, so that healing can begin. These two interpretations are, of course, not mutually exclusive. After all, those who are Christ's are called to be like Christ and to participate in the life of Christ. It is therefore not surprising that Christians seek to follow the example of the Good Samaritan. Participation in the life of Christ, however, is not simply a matter of morality—indeed, I believe it has nothing to do with morality as it is commonly understood. Participation in the life of Christ is not a matter of morality, but of a mysterious union. It is abiding in Christ, and as such it leads us to a Christlike life, which to others may seem like a “moral” life. One of the problems with interpreting the parable of the Good Samaritan primarily as a moral lesson is that it is easy to understand, easy to apply (or rather, we think we are applying it), and easy to teach. An easy interpretation of Scripture, unfortunately, often leads to a superficial understanding and, most tragically, to the feeling that one already knows the meaning of a given passage. The mystery disappears, and Jesus’ words are inserted into a mental schema, a category to be recalled when needed. Another problem with the moral interpretation of the parable is that it places the listener in the position of the healer, the strong one, the deliverer. I have talked many times with excited Christians who have wanted to help a sick, hungry, or homeless neighbor, but who have felt hurt when that unfortunate person has refused their help or, if they have taken the sandwich, complained that it had too much mayonnaise. If, by virtue of our own piety, we strive to imitate Christ, can we stop taking offense? Christ is reviled and rejected, spat upon and mocked even as He sheds His blood to save us. It takes much more than piety to put a wounded man on your own beast (your own flesh) and take him to an inn. In many ways, the insult of others’ ingratitude is a good thing, if it makes us realize that we are not the Good Samaritan. It is a good thing to see how superficial our understanding of ourselves is. It is a good thing to see that in many ways I am much more wounded than the homeless man I think I can help: wounded by pride and conceit, wounded by a high opinion of myself and my abilities, wounded by the delusion that I am the healthy one. The church’s interpretation of this parable, on the other hand, teaches us to see ourselves in the role of the wounded man who needs a Good Samaritan to bandage his wounds and take him to an inn. It teaches us that this is not a one-time experience, but a spiritual reality that we enter into (“remember” is the correct theological word) constantly. In fact, life in Christ is a life of constant remembrance that I am the poor and needy, I am the wounded who needs the Savior. And then somehow a miracle happens. As I am cared for by the Good Samaritan, I gradually become like the Good Samaritan. The One who cares for me allows me to participate to some extent in His care for others—and in His suffering. The icon is very beautiful and in excellent condition.