WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?
Introduction
The letter of Paul to the Galatians is a strong reaction that tries to safeguard the integrity of the gospel and of the young Church. The Judaizers, that is, a group of Jews converted to Christianity alleged that new Christians had to accept the Jewish law and practices in order to be good Christians. What, then, about Christ and the cross?
According to an old Jewish story, a father tells his small son: “I think that God made people because he likes to tell stories and he wanted someone to tell them to.” We have Jesus with us today to tell us the immortal story of the Good Samaritan. Who is my neighbour? Anyone who needs me, whoever he or she may be. And “go and do the same.”
Opening Prayer
Our God and Father,
in signs and stories
your Son Jesus made it clear to us
that love of you and our neighbor
is the heart of the Christian life.
Make it indeed clear and obvious to us
that anyone in need is our neighbor
and that in serving those around us
we love and serve you,
our Lord and God for ever. Amen!
1 Reading: Galatians 1:6-12
Brothers and sisters: I am amazed that you are so quickly forsaking the one who called you by the grace of Christ for a different gospel (not that there is another). But there are some who are disturbing you and wish to pervert the Gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than the one that we preached to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, and now I say again, if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than the one that you received, let that one be accursed! Am I now currying favour with human beings or God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ. Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the Gospel preached by me is not of human origin. For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm PS 111:1B-2, 7-8, 9 AND 10C
R. (5) The Lord will remember his covenant for ever. or: Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights. R.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity. R.
He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
His praise endures forever. R.
Alleluia John 13:34
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment:
love one another as I have loved you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Luke 10:25-37
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus 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 neighbour 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 neighbour?” 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 neighbour to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Commentary
Paul’s Letter to the Galatians is introduced today. It is a bold and forthright presentation of the Christian message, in language that is at times strong and eye-opening. The apostle loses no time in addressing one of the letter’s major claims. Certain members of the Christian faith are attempting to distort the gospel that Paul had preached by introducing different practices and norms. Who those people are will become evident later in the letter. Here Paul excludes their authenticity. In fact, anyone preaching a gospel different from that which he had preached is simply accursed. He says that because he preached a gospel not received or taught by human agents. It came to him as a revelation of Jesus Christ. Any attempts to alter or dilute it are in clear opposition to God’s revelation.
The Samaritans were not in communion with the Jews. Their relations were marked by clear hostility. But in the Gospels, in more than one instance, the Samaritans are presented in a positive light. Today’s parable is one of the most beloved in the whole of the New Testament. The history of the church points out the inroads that Christianity in its earliest years made among the Samaritans.
There are two lessons that emerge in today’s scripture. The first is, never to exclude anyone from God’s love, which is universal and all-embracing. The church should be in the forefront of this all-inclusive love. The second lesson is to respect the sacredness of God’s revelation. There are many things within the church that are not essential to faith and can change. But other matters that touch the very heart of our belief cannot change but must remain as the teaching of God himself. It is an important distinction to make; lack of clarity can easily lead to discord and disagreement.
Intercessions
– For all ministers of the Church, that they may faithfully proclaim God’s word and God’s law and at the same time walk in God’s ways of compassion and love without measure, we pray:
– For all those who lie wounded by the road of life, that they may find good Samaritans who assist them to restore their faith in life and their trust in people, we pray:
– For all those who have been good neighbours to us, that the Lord may reward them, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
in these signs of bread and wine
your Son Jesus tells us the story
of how he has given his life for us.
Give him to us now,
that he may share with us
his strength to do as he did,
to give his and our life for all,
that we may live with him in your love,
now and for ever. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father,
we give you thanks for Jesus,
your Son in our midst.
Like him, may we tell with our lives
the old story, ever new,
of how you want to care through us
for every person in need.
God, live in us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!
Blessing
We have heard how Jesus wants to make us all good Samaritans, people who have time and attention, compassion and love, for everyone in need. Our neighbour is any person who needs us. May the loving and almighty God bless you all, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!