15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C, Year I)

Community Word:Disciples of Christ are empowered to proclaim the Good News.

Theme: Disciples of Christ are empowered when they show mercy and compassion.

Promise: “The Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds, he spurns not.” (Ps 69:34)

Reflection:

Our theme for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time is ~ Disciples of Christ are empowered when they show mercy and compassion. From the example of heroism of the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us: “… Go and do likewise.” (Lk 10: 37b). As Christians, we cannot take for granted the needs of people who are suffering from hunger, devastated by violence, and crushed by injustice. The poor and the lowly are close to the heart of Jesus and our eyes should recognize the image of Christ in their suffering; we should be moved with pity in their sad plight.

Sometimes, we tend to limit the definition of “neighbor” to our family, community members and circle of friends. Some want to associate only with people who are of the same importance as they are. Unknowingly, some start to build impenetrable boundaries around people they are comfortable with. But like the scholar in the gospel, we too are challenged with these thoughts: Should we love only those people with the same way of life, race and belief as ours? Should we only help those who can reciprocate our kindness and disregard those who might squander our charity? Do we only befriend people who are easy to deal with, but shun away from those whose words and actions disgust us? Shouldn’t we work harmoniously even with those who have different views from ours and are causing division in the group? Are we not to forgive those who have hurt us and want us harm?

If our hearts are not bent towards compassion and mercy, we may not be able to know or experience God’s compassion and mercy towards us. Taking another look at the parable, we can say that the Good Samaritan is God the Father who saw you and me, the entire human race, lost and ravaged along a desolate road to spiritual death and destruction. Because of sin, we were completely dead, but Jesus passed by and never left us helpless. On the cross, He did not give us just a palliative or temporary relief, but He offered His life that we might live, be healed and restored to wholeness with God. After His ascension to heaven, He entrusted us to the Holy Spirit who helps us to be completely healed, renewed and become a “new person” transformed in Christ.

When we desperately seek help, Jesus comes to rescue us from our vulnerability and restores our brokenness. Our sorrows are known to Him and He never abandons us. He suffers with us, binds our wounds, and carries our burdens. He assures us in this week’s promise: “The Lord hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds, he spurns not,” (Ps 69:34). Just as Jesus is compassionate and merciful, we too must show the same to others, not counting the cost.

Prayer:
Lord God, change our hearts to the heart of the Good Samaritan, compassionate and merciful to the down trodden. Grant us the grace to bear with one another tenderly and patiently, to learn to rejoice with others and be their source of joy. Allow us to encourage one another to cure wounded hearts, free the poor from bondage of poverty and injustice, and to witness to others of Your unfathomable mercy and compassion. Amen.

Reflection Guide Questions:
1.In terms of helping others, how do you demonstrate the virtue of being a good neighbor? Do you feel joy when you are able to relieve someone of their difficulty be it temporal, physical or spiritual? Share that experience.

2.What are the struggles that prevent you, or make you hesitate, in helping those who are in need?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
July 14, 2019 (Sun) – Dt 30:10-14/Ps 69:14, 17, 30, 31, 34, 36, 37/Col 1:15-20/Lk 10:25-37
July 15, 2019 (Mon)-Ex 1:18-14, 22/Ps 124:1-8/Mt 10:34-11:1
July 16, 2019 (Tue) -Ex 2:1-15/Ps 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33, 34/Mt 11:20-24
July 17, 2019 (Wed) -Ex 3:1-6, 9-12/Ps 103:1-4, 6, 7/Mt 11:28-30
July 18, 2019 (Thu) -Ex 3:13-20/Ps 105:1, 5, 8, 9, 24, 25, 26, 27/Mt 11:28-30
July 19, 2019 (Fri) -Ex 11:10-12:14/Ps 116:12-18/Mt 12:1-8
July 20, 2019 (Sat)-Ex 12:37-42/Ps 136:1, 23, 24, 10-12, 13-15/Mt 12:14-21

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”