Gospel for July 10 2022 – Luke 10:25-37
Gospel Reflections for July 10 2022
…and who is my neighbor?
Today Jesus presents two clear foundations of our faith: “Love God …and love your neighbor as yourself.” But then an antagonistic lawyer quickly challenges Him, “…and who is my neighbor?”
So Jesus tells a story…
When Jesus tells a story to teach a lesson, there is always a slight “twist” to it. Our Lord wants to get people’s attention to make His lesson more memorable. This happens today in the story of a person from a nearby tribe of Samaritans that all Jews considered heretics and so would never even associate with them.
In today’s Gospel, a man has been injured by robbers and left lying on the side of the road. Several Jewish leaders pass by and yet do nothing to help. The injured man had major wounds that were clearly visible so they should have noticed but did not. Finally, A Samaritan (of all people!) offers heroic aid and at great personal expense too. He is the hero of the story. That a Samaritan is the hero is the “twist” in the story.
But there is a deeper “twist” in that Jesus chose to tell this parable in the first place!
The lawyer was angry and wanted to attack Our Lord with a public challenge. Yet, amazingly, Jesus does not respond back in kind. That was unexpected. People would expect Jesus to attack.
Perhaps Jesus recognized that this lawyer was also a wounded person. After all, not all wounds are visible. Some are deep inside your soul. Often people’s hurtful actions towards others arise from hurts already felt deep inside themselves. Perhaps the lawyer feels threatened by Jesus, or feels jealousy, despair, or maybe even panic. Maybe the lawyer thinks the best defense is a good offense, and so he attacks Jesus.
Rather than attack back, Jesus amazingly shows respect for his intelligence and position. Our Lord chooses to engage the lawyer’s mind by telling a compelling story, and then invites him to freely respond.
Jesus cares for the lawyer as His “neighbor” and in the same personal and caring way the Samaritan cared for the injured man by the side of the road.
This means that Our Lord always considers you “His neighbor” and will notice your wounds as deep as they are, and provide just the right kind of personal healing just for you. All you need to do …is let Him heal you.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
A favorite Gospel of mine showing the acceptance Jesus had for everyone. He dined with tax collectors, sinners and held up stories of heroic people from disenfranchised social classes.
This showed his greatness more than any display of material possessions could possibly show.
Our Catholic Faith remains our greatest possession in life and for Eternity. Thanks for your reminders each week to keep us on track.
Great comments, Tom!
So beautiful your words Father Dave, Let Jesus heal you!!!!What a precious beautiful world we would have if we just let our precious Jesus heal us!!!!Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Jesus!!!Have a beautiful day in our precious jesus’ Love and healing!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
Dear Fr Dave:
I never looked at this scripture in the way you have explained it.. As a challenging attack of Jesus and his response bring so kind. I always looked at the literal lesson. Thank you for adding a twist to unpacking it for us. Allow Jesus to heal us. Thank you Father! Miss you!
Yes, Jesus always offers us new insights!
New ways to look deeper at the readings and apply them to ourselves. Thanks yet again Fr. Dave.
You are very welcome!
Dear Father Dave,
The old saying, “Let go and
let God,” comes to mind.
Thank you for your words of wisdom.
God bless!
Kathleen
Yes, a wise insight. Let go, and let God!
Forgiving, like Fr said, is not easy but it is possible. And wow, if we all just did this one thing, then crime and wars would be over and there would be a quiet and loving peace!
That is our goal for sure!
I believe this parable is truly the core of Catholic belief. Only in letting go of our anger, thoughts and emotions, can we truly forgive. In the last couple years, I had a falling out with a friend of many years. I harbored a lot of anger and jealousy toward her. One day I went to confession to finally address and confront it. The priest told me I needed to be more like a tree that bends where the wind blows it. After pondering those words, I realized I was “rooted” in my anger and obstinacy and I was reluctant to let it go, along with my friend. I have since noticed a slow, gradual change wherein I seldom feel those thoughts and feelings of hostility toward her. When I feel the thoughts fleeting, I utter to myself, “Let it go” and “Offer it up,” and I feel a sense of peace.
Thank you so much for sharing your journey toward forgiveness. Very inspiring!
🤔 You have such a unique perspective. Thank-You! It is so interesting to see things in a whole new way aside from the way I usually see. I think that people can feel threatened when someone doesn’t live by their ways. If others perceive someone to be a threat, then that person should be glad, because otherwise they wouldn’t be worth anything. We can still choose to love, and so we love, even though it hurts and is challenging.
Yes, love is always a challenging decision to make, yet ultimately satisfying.