Thomas Lima csc
Readings: Gal 1: 6-12; Lk 10:25-37
In today’s first reading Saint Paul reminds the Galatians to remain faithful to the gospel preached by him. This is a passage encouraging the Christians. There were troublemakers in the Galatian community who wanted to define Christianity by limitations.
The gospel reading is one of the famous parables of Jesus to highlight the need to love our neighbour. Jesus explains the story of a Samaritan in such a way that we can never forget it, and then he tells us “Go and do the same.” If the lawyer had been humble and penitent, the Savior would have answered him more directly. Under the circumstances, Jesus directed his attention to the law. What did the law demand? It demanded that man love the Lord above all and his neighbor as himself. Jesus told him that if he did this, he would live.
It was a non-Jew, a Samaritan, who showed the best example of true love. Would he make the same point today about us Catholics? As Christians it is our primary duty and responsibility to promote the human life. Are we people who reach out to those in need?