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FROM THE PULPIT
FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR C SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 30: 10-14; Psalm 69; Colossians 1: 15-20; Luke 10: 25-37. REFLECTION: LOVE HAS NO BOUNDARIES. Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp. The lesson of the great commandment of love that we learn today is punctuated by Jesus’ exceptional teaching on caring for the enemy. Through the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us to transcend our preconceived ideas, stereotypes, divisions and rivalries. Jesus invites us to look at each other as children of God, redeemed by the blood of his only Son Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to see in each other the presence of God. By encountering one another reverently, we will fulfill the great commandment of God; love of God and of the neighbor. Israel was divided into North and South. Samaria became opposed to Jerusalem. Over the centuries, their enmity grew stronger that a Samaritan village refused to welcome Jesus, because his destination was Jerusalem; a woman at Jacob’s well could not offer water to Jesus because he was a southerner, a Jew. In a turn of events, Jesus chooses to tell us the story of a Samaritan traveler who took great risks to assist and save the life of another man, a southerner sojourning from Jerusalem to Jericho. People who were better related to the victim avoided helping him. Instead of showing compassion, the Levites and priests found excuses. But the one considered as enemy, the Samaritan, a northerner did not ask what will happen to him if he stopped to help on that dangerous and meandering road; he risked his own life by stopping and saving the victim’s life. He took the risks of being accused as the suspect by the police of Jericho. The Samaritan proved himself to be a son of God. He shows the model of life we must live. The Samaritan reflects Jesus himself, the beloved Son of God, who took the risk of saving us. Jesus never asked himself what would happen to him if he became a human. But he willingly accepted to be one of us in all things but sin. For this reason, God exalted him above all created beings in heaven and on earth. We will all be measured up by the way we lived lovingly. |