Friends, today we are celebrating the fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. We celebrate the God who is close to us, in His word and our neighbor. As the image of the unseen God and the Good Samaritan, Christ is close to us in all life’s circumstances. Our Mother church urges us to acknowledge the presence of God both in his word and in our neighbors. The readings of today show us how love for God and love for others cannot be separated. The parable of the Good Samaritan challenges us to act with compassion, even when it is not easy. Lord, open my heart to see those who need my care. Help me to live your word through simple acts of kindness and mercy.
Friends, our first reading is part of the farewell message and final instruction of Moses to his people. This message underscores the importance of abiding with God through His Word. That is, living according to His commandments in the scriptures. Through this reading, Moses reminds us that God is alive, active, and ever close to us in his word, “For this Law is not beyond your strength or your reach.” Therefore, we must seek Him in the scriptures by asking the Holy Spirit to enlighten the eyes of our minds (Eph 1:18). We are also called to obey and live by the word because it is the source of life. God has fully revealed himself to us in his Word, and only those who make frantic efforts will find him. Today, we are reminded that the law is not far away or hard to understand. The laws were meant to shape people who loved God and cared for one another. Following the law is not about looking good or avoiding others who seem unclean. It is about becoming the kind of people who care for those around us. While in the second reading, Paul also reminds us of how close God is to us. Through His son Jesus Christ, “the invisible image of the unseen Father,” God came to dwell among us. Paul reminds us that God decided to dwell with us through Jesus Christ to reconcile us with himself.
Friends, in the gospel, Jesus directed the young man to the scriptures. By doing this, Jesus tries to let him understand that we can find God in his Word, which is close to us. Therefore, to love God is to love his word. He further supported this by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. The word of God is personified in the Good Samaritan in today’s gospel. The word of God is Jesus himself, who speaks to us, and Jesus, who is ever close to us like the Good Samaritan. Today’s gospel also presents to us another way through which God is close to us. That is, in our neighborhood. As a humble master, he is always available to us in simple ways and things. He is close to us in the scriptures, the poor, the just, the pious, the marginalized, the sick, and the weak. The good Samaritan saw God in the victim and was moved to help him.
Friends, the Good Samaritan represents those who seek Christ in the weak, wounded, and needy. He represents those who are mindful of their neighbors. He represents Christ, who is always quick to come to our help when we are weak, despised, and abandoned. He is ever ready to help us recover from our injuries. He is so close to taking care of and healing us. He does not stop to question whether the man deserves help. He simply chooses to care for him. Jesus teaches us that love does not make excuses. Loving others means seeing their needs and responding to them with kindness. The Lord be with you …. May the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Have a Joyful Sunday and a fruitful new month of July to you.
