July 14, 2013

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Moses said to the people:
“If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.

“For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

R. (cf. 33) Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

Or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R.(9a) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

Reading 2 Col 1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Gospel Lk 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law?
How do you read it?”
He said in reply,
“You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself.”
He replied to him, “You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied,
“A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
‘Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.’
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

A Christian Pilgrim

AND WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?

(A biblical reflection on the 15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time [Year C] – July 14, 2013)

Gospel Reading: Luke 10:25-37

First Reading: Deut 30:10-14; Psalms: Ps 69:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37 or Ps 19:8-11; Second Reading: Col 1:15-20

The Scripture Text

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” And 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.” And He said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.”

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him” And Jesus to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Lk 10:25-37 RSV)

If the lawyer had heard very much of our Lord’s preaching, he had certainly missed the point. Apparently, the lawyer hoped that salvation could be achieved once and for all by doing some single thing. Jesus’ preaching had been an effort to overcome a naive legalistic approach to religious life. He emphasized that one’s whole life in every aspect had to be turned to God, that one’s attitude was more important than any single act. And so in the answer Jesus gave, derived indeed from the Old Testament, we hear an epitome of the spirit of the law that should color everything that one does: love God completely and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus’ point was that a person does prepare himself for eternal life by performing any single work, great or small, but that he does so by living his whole life in accord with the law of love.

The lawyer was not satisfied with the answer, which he seemed to consider as too general. He wanted to get down to specifics. He wanted a nice, net limit within which he would fulfill his obligations. His questions, “And who is my neighbor?” was petty, small. The answer in the parable demanded bigness, generosity.

The parable meant to say that everyone is our neighbor, not just the people we live with, not just the people we like, Jews and Samaritans hated each other. The lawyer was a Jew, and so he thought of Samaritans as heretics, traitors, worthless scum, incapable of doing any good at all. The fact that the Samaritan was the hero of the story, and not the Jew, gave a special bite to it as far as the lawyer was concerned. It was a story of the least likely person showing love to someone he was supposed to despise. The point was painfully clear: there are no limits as to whom the law of love must be applied. The teaching is easy to understand, but hard to put into practice.

Some people have commented that the good Samaritan in the parable represents Christ Himself. Whether that be correct or not, it is true that Jesus found the human race in bad shape, like a man beaten and lying on the roadside near death. He came to our rescue, and gave the supreme example of love, an example we are celebrating in the Mass today. That is the example we are all called to imitate.

Prayer: Jesus, You are my Lord and my Savior. I thank You for Your mercy and grace. Like the man who fell among robbers, I too was stripped and beaten up by sin, Satan, and the world. I was robbed of my dignity as a child of God and left for dead. No one could save me, not even my determination to do everything right. I was powerless. I am and will be forever grateful for such marvelous mercy and grace. Amen.

Finding God in Everyday Life

Pastor’s Column

15^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 14, 2013

“No, the word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart.

You have only to carry it out.”

Deuteronomy 30:14

Sometimes we think we must go to extraordinary lengths to hear God. But this Sunday’s first reading points out that there is no need to cross the seas to find God, or to go to the highest heavens or to take long journeys. Instead, the Word of God is already within and around us, in our minds and in our hearts, if we would only carry it out!

Over the years I have been on many pilgrimages, and before leading one I always invite the pilgrims to ask themselves this question: “Why am I taking this journey? What is my goal? What do I hope to come back with?” Of course, when we go on a vacation we are seeking rest, or new experiences, or reconnecting with loved ones, but a pilgrimage is essentially different: a Pilgrim is seeking to encounter God and to learn his will, and at the same time gain insight about themselves and their life’s journey.

When I was discerning my vocation to the priesthood, because I had airline benefits, I found myself traveling all over the country looking at different religious orders and taking many exotic retreats. One day I called my father (who lived in Los Angeles) from Massachusetts where I was visiting some religious community. What my father said to me changed my life! He remarked, “So tell me Gary, why is it that you need to fly 3,000 miles to find the will of God?”

As it turned out, I found my vocation in the Catholic Church across the street! His will, his word, it was all right where I lived and worked and I could not see it! I suspect many of us act the same way at times. Think about it for a moment. Here in our parish church we come on Sunday and hear three readings of the Word of God. All the meaning of life, all the instructions that we need for our journey are contained in the Scriptures and in the church that interprets them. Yet we can feel that extraordinary things are necessary. If we make room for the Word of God, it will carry us home to God every time.

Here in our local parish church there are so many opportunities to be fed, even in the readings in the bulletin, classes and programs and things to do. Here we have many opportunities to serve, ways to contribute our time and finances, ways to make a difference.

Our church of St. Edward is not the only place where God speaks to us, of course! But, if you look carefully at your life, you will find most of the answers to the meaning of life in the circumstances, obligations, and occurrences that each day brings. God’s will is always found in my duties of the present moment, in the person I run into, the people in my life that I am committed to, the work in prayer and leisure that God has called me to do.

Father Gary>

St. Paul Center Blog

What We Must Do: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Dr. Scott Hahn on 07.12.13 |

Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36-37
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37

We are to love God and our neighbor with all the strength of our being, as the scholar of the Law answers Jesus in this week’s Gospel.

This command is nothing remote or mysterious - it’s already written in our hearts, in the book of sacred Scripture. “You have only to carry it out,” Moses says in this week’s First Reading.

Jesus tells His interrogator the same thing: “Do this and you will live.”

The scholar, however, wants to know where he can draw the line. That’s the motive behind his question: “Who is my neighbor?”

In his compassion, the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable reveals the boundless mercy of God - who came down to us when we were fallen in sin, close to dead, unable to pick ourselves up.

Jesus is “the image of the invisible God,” this week’s Epistle tells us. In Him, the love of God has come very near to us. By the “blood of His Cross” - by bearing His neighbors’ sufferings in His own body, being himself stripped and beaten and left for dead - He saved us from bonds of sin, reconciled us to God and to one another.

Like the Samaritan, He pays the price for us, heals the wounds of sin, pours out on us the oil and wine of the sacraments, entrusts us to the care of His Church, until He comes back for us.

Because His love has known no limits, ours cannot either. We are to love as we have been loved, to do for others what He has done for us - joining all things together in His Body, the Church.

We are to love like the singer of this week’s Psalm - like those whose prayers have been answered, like those whose lives has been saved, who have known the time of His favor, have seen God in His great mercy turn toward us.

This is the love that leads to eternal life, the love Jesus commands today of the scholar, and of each of us - “Go and do likewise.

15^th Sunday: Expand Your Circle

(Delacroix: The Good Samaritan)

"Go and do likewise"

Deut 30: 10-14
Col 1: 15-20
Lk 10: 25-37

Most of us may see our relationships as kind of concentric circles. Those included in the first circle closest to us would be our own family members: parents, children, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and grandchildren. If we say we are spending some quality family time it would be primarily with this group of people. These are those we are most familiar with and who we generally love the most. We feel a natural connection with this inner circle.

The other circles move out from this prime one to include friends and other family members. We enjoy these folks. We may see them often or just occasionally but they wouldn’t necessarily be the ones I would want to share all my time with. They often come in and out of our lives.

Then we have acquaintances and maybe those we work and serve with. Then of course are those we have never met. The broader human family including people we may or may not ever meet at some time.

If we think of those in need, most would likely put their family members first. A father or mother has a natural connection with the basic needs of their own children. If they are in trouble or hurt in some say, parents fly to their rescue and are very concerned about their overall welfare.

Those included in other surrounding circles may or may not receive help from us for we assume they may have others, their own families, who could be of assistance. On go the natural human relationships.

Today’s Gospel story about the Good Samaritan is likely the most well-known of Jesus’ stories. The lesson of it is very clear: we are called to be aware that those circles around us may need to expand and include even the stranger among us. In the case of the story it not only includes a stranger; it includes a bitter enemy. What makes the story all the more compelling is the way the response of the Samaritan is described by Jesus. With care far beyond what was necessary, the Samaritan deeply empathizes about the stranger in need. He feels compassion for the suffering of the individual.

The word compassion is defined this way: “A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” In this case compassion is not just about coming to the aid of someone in physical suffering. It’s about caring about that person. The Samaritan lifts this man on his horse, takes him to the inn, offers money and further assistance if necessary and wants to be further informed about his condition. That is compassion in the flesh!

The hero of the story, then, is the enemy of the young lawyer who tries to test Jesus’ knowledge of the Mosaic Law and the fundamental meaning of the greatest of all commandments – to love God and neighbor. That law, as Deuteronomy speaks today in the first reading, is not “mysterious and remote but . . . is already in your mouths and in your hearts . . .”

The “scholar of the law,” who knew the law very well and what it expected of a good and faithful Jew, poses a fundamental question: “Teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Being a legal scholar, he already knew that love of neighbor was inscribed as an obligation for a faithful Jew. However, as Luke tells us, this was an attempt to “test” Jesus. He assumed a self-imposed authority which had the “chutzpah” to test Jesus’ knowledge of the Mosaic Law, based in the Ten Commandments.

Love of neighbor was well known to all Jews. But, your neighbor was your fellow Jew; those in your immediate inner circle. Those among the gentiles did not necessarily deserve the same generosity and in some cases, such as the Samaritans, to be outright despised and hated. They were in circles far away from the center if at all.

In classic Jewish style, Jesus answers his question with a question: “What is written in the law?” Our Lord knew that this upstart scholar knew the answer to both questions already so he turned it all back on him. To love God and neighbor is fundamental to salvation.

Yet, Jesus did not simply end there. He expanded the boundaries of cultural and societal relationships to essentially there being no boundaries. The hated Samaritan becomes the “good” Samaritan. Along the road come the priest and later a Levite, who feared defilement and ritual impurity lest they even touch this poor beaten man. Their loyalty was to the restriction of the law and they sacrificed an opportunity for compassion in favor of legality.

Meanwhile, the Samaritan, a bitter enemy of the Jewish lawyer, becomes his true neighbor. Notice, Jesus deliberately leaves the injured man nameless in order that all who hear this story can easily make the connection to this being every man/woman?

The answer to the first question of the lawyer – “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” – is finally answered by Jesus after he tells the dramatic story: “Go and do likewise.”

We can and should see the ordinary tasks of everyday life as moments to be good Samaritans. In ordinary kindnesses and moments of assistance we can be good Samaritans. We must pray for the grace to not just live in crisis mode but to truly feel empathy with those who suffer.

We can’t save the world. God already has. But we can each day increase the level of goodness through our acts of charity toward those in need.

How big are your circles? How far do they reach? Our gathering for the Eucharist each weekend reminds us that our circles should be very broad and inclusive indeed. Even your enemy becomes your neighbor to who we owe compassion.

O God who show the light of your truth
to those who go astray,
so that they may return to the right path,
give all who for the faith they profess
are accounted Christians
the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ
and to strive after all that does it honor.
(Collect: Roman Missal)

Fr. Tim

Sunday Scripture Study

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle C

July 14, 2013

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Psalm: 69:14,17,30-37

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Gospel Reading: Luke 10:25-37

In this Sunday’s Gospel Reading, as he makes his way to Jerusalem Jesus is questioned by a “scholar of the law” about how to inherit eternal life. These scholars, also called lawyers (RSVCE translation) or scribes (Luke 5:21) were considered to be experts of the Jewish Law.

Jesus asks him what his understanding of the Law is. The lawyer answers by citing Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:4, which is a summary of the Ten Commandments stated in positive terms (i.e., as opposed to “thou shalt not…”).

Even though Jesus approves of his answer, the lawyer, who seems satisfied that he knows what it means to love God, wishes to define more precisely who can be considered one’s neighbor. Jesus answers with a parable that is found only in Luke’s gospel, the story of the Good Samaritan.

The characters in this parable include: a traveler on the perilous road from Jerusalem to Jericho; a priest and a Levite who, given their important religious roles in the Temple, were considered role models to other Jews; and a Samaritan, a member of a despised people who were traditional enemies of the Jews (John 4:9).

QUESTIONS:

The setting for the First Reading is the discourse of Moses to the Israelites instructing them how they are to follow God’s law in the Promised Land which they are about to enter. What do his words tell us about how God wants us to obey his commandments?

Who is testing whom in this Sunday’s Gospel Reading? Does the scholar of the Law seem to think he has passed Jesus’ test in verse 28? How so? Why does Jesus answer with a story instead of with a straight answer? Does Jesus answer his actual question?

How might the priest and the Levite justify their behavior (see Leviticus 21:1-3; Numbers 19:11-22)? Why or why not was this a valid excuse?

Given the animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans (see John 4:9, 8:48), what is unusual about the plot twists in this story? What is Jesus’ point here?

What attitude or behavior does God want you to have that is most difficult to accept? After reading this parable, who would you say is your neighbor?

Who have been the Good Samaritans in your life? What makes a Good Samaritan really good? To whom will you be a Good Samaritan this week?

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 2822, 1825, 2083, 2447, 1458, 2842

When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus. –St. Rose of Lima

Insight Scoop

can email, but must post picture manually

The Heart and the Good Samaritan

A Scriptural Reflection on the Readings for July 14, 2013, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time | Carl E. Olson

Readings:
• Deut 30:10-14
• Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37
• Col 1:15-20
• Lk 10:25-37

“The heart,” wrote St. John Chrysostom, “is the most noble of all the members of our body.” The twentieth-century philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand observed that in Scripture the heart is often contrasted, not with the will or intellect, but with the body. The heart is “chosen as a representative of man’s inner life” and identified closely with the soul.

There are some seven hundred references to the heart in the Bible; the first two are found in Genesis 6, where it states that the wicked “desires” or “thoughts” of man’s heart had grieved the heart of God (Gen. 6:5-6). Few of the numerous references to the heart have to do with the physical, blood-pumping organ, or even with emotions (that would actually be kidneys and bowels!). The heart, in Scripture, is the center and core of a human being; it is a complex and mysterious combination of personality, intellect, character, and will. Whereas in modern culture “the heart” is often related to strong feelings (often romantic in nature), the biblical perspective is far more concerned with moral character, especially with holiness and fidelity.

This is significant for appreciating today’s readings from Deuteronomy and the Gospel of Luke. Deuteronomy (which means “second law-giving”) contains a detailed presentation of the Law given to Israelites, culminating in a series of blessings and curses (ch. 28-30) that God promised would “come upon” the people depending on how well they observed the Law. Not surprisingly, the curses far outweigh the blessing, and today’s reading seems to accept that failure will follow, stating, “when you return to the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.” This is a reiteration of Deuteronomy 6:5, which is part of the Shema Yisrael (Dt. 6:4-9), the greatest prayer of Judaism.

God’s commands, Moses relates to the people, are not mysterious or impossible to follow, but are very near, “already in your mouths and in your hearts.” While the heart is the center of a man’s being, the mouth is the gateway or window to a man’s heart and soul. This important concept was used by St. Paul when he told the Romans of the necessity of confessing that Jesus is Lord and believing in “your heart that God raised him from the dead” in order to be saved (Rom. 10:9-10). Far from being an emotional or rash response, this is public action rooted in profound consideration and commitment of the will.

The question asked of Jesus by the scholar of the law was hostile, meant to test him and expose any weaknesses in his stance regarding salvation. As he often did, Jesus answered the question with questions of his own, as if to say, “You are the recognized scholar; you tell me the answer!” The lawyer quoted directly from the Shema and Leviticus 19:18, demonstrating that he had intellectually mastered the answer. But had his heart absorbed the truth and been transformed by what was in his head? Could he, like the Psalmist, say, “The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart” (Psa. 19:8)? And while the words of his mouth met with favor, what about the thoughts of his heart (see Psa. 19:15)?

The scholar sought to justify himself by bringing up a much-debated question: who really is my neighbor? Some Jews said it included strangers and sojourners (cf. Lev. 19:33-34); others insisted that only members of the Jewish community should be called “neighbors”. Some, such as the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan, were heartless because they had long forgotten that the Law was actually about loving God and loving others.

When religious practice no longer has a transcendent center—that is, a heart seeking after God—it becomes fearful, selfish, and merciless. Soulless works cannot save us; they actually separate us from the blessings of the divine life. Love God with all your heart. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do this and you will truly live.

(This "Opening the Word" column originally appeared in the July 11, 2010, edition of Our Sunday Visitor

Regnum Christi

Love That Leads to Life

| SPIRITUAL LIFE | SPIRITUALITY

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father Shawn Aaron, LC

Luke 10: 25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live." But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ´Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.´ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers´ victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Introductory Prayer: Almighty and ever-living God, I seek new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd. I believe in you, I hope in you, and I seek to love you with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind and all my strength. I want to be led one day to join the saints in heaven, where your Son Jesus Christ lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

Petition: Jesus, may I love as you have loved me.

1. Teacher, What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life? Since the human soul is spiritual, its longings are infinite in scope, and so we naturally want to live an eternity of happiness, an eternity full of life. Yet this scholar of the law has keenly perceived that eternal life is more than just the next step after death. I must do something in order to inherit it. My existence and my redemption are totally unmerited gifts from God: I never asked him for the gift of life nor did I ask him to die for me, yet here I am, alive and redeemed. What is more, I can never earn either existence or God´s free love. Yet there is at least an aspect of eternal life that derives from my merit. The quality of my eternal life corresponds to the quality of my love and the goodness of my deeds on this side of eternity.

2. What Is Written in the Law? The response of Jesus verifies a profoundly Catholic understanding of reality. The scholar´s question could be put in another way: "What must I do to be saved?" One would expect the response to be: "Believe, have faith!" Yet Jesus already knows that this man has faith. He confirms that faith is certainly necessary for salvation, but that faith must be translated into love if we are to have eternal life. When Jesus says, "What is written in the law," he presupposes faith in God, the author of the moral law. But in addition, he is inviting him to apply his faith to living the law in love. Faith and works are inseparable. "Whoever says, ´I know him,´ but does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever keeps his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection" (1 John 2:4-5).

3. Do This and You Will Live: With these words Jesus brings the lesson to a full conclusion. By loving as the Good Samaritan loves, we are on the path to a life that is never-ending, a life that we naturally long to experience and possess. We must always trust Jesus when we find that he places us in situations that stretch our love and generosity to limits that often hurt. He knows that we long for eternal life, but he also knows that the path to that life is a love that purifies, stretches, and demands our all. Therefore, Jesus invites us to follow him down the road of life-giving love. Every crucifix reminds us of this self-giving love that leads to life.

Conversation with Christ: Blessed Lord, increase my faith so that I may see you in every person I meet. Strengthen my hope that I may trust firmly that you will give me all I need to love as you ask. Deepen my love that I may experience the joy that comes from giving and not counting the cost. Mother Most Pure, make my heart only for Jesus.

Resolution: Today I will do three hidden acts of charity.

The Good Samaritan

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. on July 12, 2013 ·

To this day, the road from Jericho to Jerusalem is long, winding, and desolate. The two travelers could have been heading back home after weeks on temple duty. Or they could have been on their way to the Temple for their shift (Luke 1:8). In either case, the priest and the Levite were in a hurry to get where they were going. The pious duty of liturgical prayer in one direction. Family who needed them in the other. It was too bad about the half-dead man in the road. But someone else would have to attend to it. They just did not have time.

Then came the Samaritan. Belonging, as he did, to a heretical sect, his theology was all wrong. Ethnically he was not even a pure Jew, but a Jew/Gentile mongrel. Many Jews would have welcomed an “ethnic cleansing” campaign to purge the holy land of such half-breeds. The Samaritan, of course, knew this. As he saw his bloodied enemy lying there in the road, he could have smugly said “serves him right” and continued walking.

But he couldn’t. Compassion for the suffering of a fellow human being won out over partisan theology, ethnicity, and the demands of his schedule. His duty was clear. If this had happened to his dad, he would want a passing Jew to stop and help. So he went way out of his way, blowing his schedule to bits, spending money that he perhaps couldn’t afford to spend, even planning to follow up later, on his way back from his trip.

This is a tale written by Jesus to illustrate a point. But it reflects a curious phenomenon observable in every age. Good, religious people, who you’d figure to be most likely to help, are often the very ones who use piety and family obligations to excuse themselves from the responsibility of charity. “Someone else will have to do it – I don’t have time.” “We gave at the office.” “I’d like to help, but my budget is already maxed out.” On the other hand, it is often those you’d least expect who will actually go out of their way to lend a helping hand.

Jesus said: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father” (Mat 7:21). And the will of the Father is not just that we abstain from doing bad things (sins of commission) but that we actually fulfill our obligation to do justice and works of mercy. It is stunning that the only sneak preview of the last judgment to appear in the gospels shows people condemned not for murder or adultery, but for failing to do works of mercy (sins of omission). (Mat 25:36ff).

Yes, good judgment must be exercised. We are limited human beings and cannot possibly meet all the needs of every suffering person in our own neighborhood, let alone all over the world. There have been some who have busied themselves with saving the world to the neglect of their own family.

This is where the virtue of prudence comes in and perhaps, in some cases, a good spiritual director.

But if every new request for help elicits from us the knee-jerk reaction that we are just too busy or have already given enough, it is time for an examination of conscience.

Love is often inconvenient. It means giving not just out of our abundance, but at times, out of our substance. True charity can really hurt.

That’s what the cross is about, in fact. The Divine Samaritan saw the entire human race bloodied on a desolate road to nowhere. He got involved. And it cost him more than a two coins and a few hours delay to rescue us and nurse us back to health. What he asks of us who wish to be known as Christians, “little Christs,” is to love with his love and so be true to His Name.

One Bread, One Body

Language: English | Español

All Issues > Volume 29, Issue 4

<< Sunday, July 14, 2013 >>

15th Sunday Ordinary Time

Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Colossians 1:15-20
View Readings

Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36-37
Luke 10:25-37
Similar Reflections

THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE BROTHERHOOD

"Who is my neighbor?" —Luke 10:29

Christians believe that all people are called to be brothers and sisters in Christ, but we don't believe all people are brothers and sisters. First, they would have to be baptized into God's family. While not believing that universal brotherhood is the present state of affairs, Christians believe in universal neighborhood. We believe everyone is our neighbor and therefore should be respected, loved, and served. Our neighbors are:

the man stripped, beaten, and left half-dead by the robbers (Lk 10:30),
the robbers who beat up the man,
the priest and the Levite who refused to help the man,
the Samaritan, that is, our enemies, for Samaritans were enemies of the Jews, and
the lawyer who questioned Jesus to "justify himself" (Lk 10:29).

Our neighbors are everyone — friend or foe, victim or victimizer, the neighborly or unneighborly.

If we love our neighbors, it's possible they will become our brothers and sisters. "Love never fails" (1 Cor 13:8). "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pt 4:8). If we love our neighbors, we'll tell them about the One Who loves them so much He died on the cross for them. If we truly believe in universal neighborhood, we may see the fulfillment of universal brotherhood. Love your neighbors into God's kingdom.

Prayer: Father, may I love my neighbors so much that I will tell them You want to be their Father.

Promise: "He is the Image of the invisible God, the First-born of all creatures." —Col 1:15

Praise: Praise Jesus, Whose love made us brothers and sisters in Him! "I will praise the name of God" (Ps 69:31).

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.