What Must I do to Inherit Eternal Life?

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on July 07, 2022

How can I stand before God? How can God accept me? On what basis does a person gain entrance into God’s eternal kingdom? These are questions that faith seekers have asked across generations. The Gospel of Luke directly addresses the critical subject of inheriting eternal life on two occasions (Luke 10:25-37 & 18:18-30).

     In Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 10:25-37), an expert in the law asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus directed him to the Law of Moses, the Torah. Combining Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, the lawyer gave a summary of the law of love: wholehearted, dedicated love for God above all else, and love for one’s neighbor as oneself. Jesus commended the lawyer. He knows the correct answer, but the real issue is living it. Jesus advised the lawyer to “do this and you will live.”  But wanting to justify himself, the lawyer moves away from the issue of loving God to test Jesus on the subject of “who is my neighbor?” How does one define a neighbor?  Jesus perceiving the deeper issue speaks to the lawyer in a parable to expose the true spiritual problem of his heart: the parable commonly known as The Good Samaritan.  

    In the story, two persons, a priest and a Levi, who would be experts in the law outlined in the Torah, walked by a fellow Jew, beaten by robbers, and left almost dead. They know the command to love one’s neighbor, but their choice was to obey purity laws which forbade the touching of corpses, except for family members to prevent becoming defiled and unholy. A Samaritan considered an outsider, an untouchable was moved with pity, saw the sick man through the eyes of God’s love, unmindful of their religious differences. The Samaritan found the grace of God’s love and compassion working in Him and he offered the near-dead man bountiful hospitality, kindness, generosity, and sacrificial care.

    Jesus changed the conversation from a focus on defining a “neighbor”, to how to live God’s love in the world. Jesus is a very personal God, who draws close to us in our lives. Jesus became the incarnate Son of God to come near to us and be here for us as a healer, friend, restorer, and savior. He suffered and died so that in the power and presence of the Spirit he is near to us always and in all situations. In the power of the Spirit, we too draw near to others as healers and restorers of the Body of Christ.

    Jesus asked the lawyer, which of the three was a neighbor. The lawyer said, “the one who showed compassion.”  Jesus instructed him, “Go and do likewise.”  This is not an external “doing” but requires the heart’s engagement. What must I do to inherit eternal life? There is nothing we can do to merit eternal life. Eternal life is a gift from God, by His love, grace, and mercy. When we begin to understand the height, breadth, length, and depth of God’s unending, sacrificial love for us, then we grow in loving Him. We imitate His way of being, expressing His love among all people, through His spirit of mercy, sacrificial care, and compassion within us. Amen.   

Tags: love, compassion, eternal life, kindness, good samaritan, dedicated, wholehearted, generosity. sacrificial care

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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