15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
Deuteronomy 30:10-14 | Psalm 68:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37 | Colossians 1:15-20 | Luke 10:25-37
Today’s Gospel features the familiar tale of the Good Samaritan, but there’s one verse that blazes forth from the oft-recounted words:
But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. (Luke 10:33)
The Law that Moses references in the first reading is so simple, even the lawyer is able to recite it by heart: Love God with your entire being, and love your neighbour as yourself. Indeed, kind deeds are as nothing without mercy; the Samaritan’s story wouldn’t even be half as interesting if he were merely going through the motions.
Certainly, donating money to charities is a much-needed kindness that keeps the lights on and fills hungry bellies, but we can do so much more. A favorite wedding passage from St. Paul drives this point home:
If I give away all that I possess, piece by piece, and if I even let them take my body to burn it, but am without love, it will do me no good whatever. (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Serving food to the needy, the physically and mentally challenged, begins a bonding of human warmth.
Breaking bread with them, watching them help each other, especially the ones who aren’t able to care for themselves, ratchets up the engagement to a whole new level.
Looking at the faces across from us, watching their unconscious animation and an occasional tear, laughing and crying with them, is a precious gift an arms-length donation just can’t buy.
Somewhere near you is at least one person silently crying out for compassion, perhaps quite literally a troubled neighbour. Will you answer that cry?
So on we go
His welfare is my concern
No burden is he to bear
We’ll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
If I’m laden at all
I’m laden with sadness
That everyone’s heart
Isn’t filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
Amen.