15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Today, we celebrate the God who is close to us, in His word and in our neighbour. The Church urges us to acknowledge the presence of God both in his word and in our neighbour.
How often have we heard the parable of the Good Samaritan! It would be good for us to ask if it has made much difference in our lives.
Today, Christ is talking not to the lawyer but to you and me. In the first reading, Moses tells us that God’s command is not up in the sky or over the sea. It is something very near us, it is already in our mouths and in our hearts; we have only to carry it out.
Jesus says to us, you say you love me. Prove it. “How?” We ask. And Jesus responds, you see that woman, that child, that man? Take care of him, Take care of her. Be compassionate.
Meet that person’s needs. Why? Because that person is me. What you do for any needy person, you do for me.
Seek God where he is to be found. Where is God? In your neighbour, in your neighbour’s need.
That person is the tabernacle of God’s presence. We have only to see and believe and minister to that need. What this parable really tells us is that the Good Samaritan is Jesus himself, and humanity is the victim. He has taken care of us, bound up the wounds of sin, and lodged us in the inn that is his Church.
Now we in turn are called to be and do what he is and does. Is that possible? Truly not by our power alone. In the Alternative opening prayer and prayer after communion we ask to share in Christ’s love. We are never going to learn how to love unless we first learn how to receive love. Jesus tells us what we must be; learn how to be a victim, learn how to accept my loving care, my power to love, and then you will be able to love and care in turn.
In summary, the Good Samaritan represents those who seek Christ in the weak, wounded, and needy. He represents those who are mindful of their neighbours and the wounded. He is so close to taking care of and healing the sick.
Fr. Alex Osei
SSC-USA Spiritual Director