Gospel for July 13 2025 – Luke 10:25-37
Gospel Reflections for July 13 2025
…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 angry lawyer quickly challenges Him, “…and just who is my neighbor?”
So Jesus tells a story…
When Jesus tells a story, there is always a slight “twist” to it. Our Lord wants to get people’s attention to make His lessons more memorable. He tells a story of a person who is a Samaritan that all Jews considered heretics and so would never even associate with them.
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 offers heroic aid and at great personal expense too. He is the hero of the story (of all people!). 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 anger. 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 this 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
As always … a good thought on a day I have to respond to a significant physical injury I suffered. THANKS!
Please be assured of my prauers!
Beautiful gospel reflection, as always, Father!
Thank you!
To help our neighbor is a holy and a wholesome thought
even if he is our enemy.
Yes, that is why this is a favorite Gospel of many people.
Dear Father Dave,
Thank you for this weekend’s thought-provoking reflection. Anger is a strong emotion and to bypass it with wisdom is as powerful as the strength of an enormous breaking wave.
God bless!
Kathleen
Yes, I like how Jesus put into practice the very parable he was telling.
When it is not possible to help our neighbor, we can offer a prayer for him
Absolutely!
You are genus in your thoughts and all your words ring the sound of
genius. Blessings.
Thank you for your kind words. I certainly have good material to work with in the Gospels!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee the thought of loving everyone and helping with our precious Jesus’ loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!Imagine if the whole world loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed what a beautiful world we would have!! It begins with one person at a time!!! Let’s all begin!!! yeay!! Love you!! guess who!! Someone who is trying to loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!~
Thank you!