Fifteenth Sunday of the Year: C: July 13, 2025

                        LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR

Introduction: A lawyer puts a very tricky question to Jesus: "Who is my neighbour?" In response, Jesus tells a story: A Jew travels from Jerusalem to Jericho. He is attacked, beaten up, bruised , crippled and slowly bleeding to death. A respectable Jew, a priest, comes along and passes by. Then another Jew, a Levite, comes along and passes by. Later, a Samaritan who is considered an enemy of the Jews, - not a neighbour at all -  comes along, stops, and takes care of the wounded man, dresses his wounds, takes him to an inn and gives total insurance for his recovery. Jesus put the question back to the clever lawyer: "Who is the neighbour to the man who was robbed and beaten up?" The lawyer replies: "The one who took pity on the wounded man." Jesus tells him: "Go and do likewise."

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30: 10 to 14

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 15 to 20

Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 25 to 37

   *First reading is from the book of Deuteronomy. Moses exhorts the people of Israel to keep the commandments of the Lord God so that they always turn to the Lord God with all their hearts and with all their souls. These commandments are easy to obey because they are at the very heart and soul of every person. Moses urges them to obey these commandments not as something imposed from outside but as something that springs up from inside of themselves. 

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Colossians. Paul describes incarnate Word,  Lord Jesus, as the true image of God in human form. He is  pre-eminent and supreme to everything created. He is the head of the Church and He brings reconciliation to the whole creation. Hence, Paul asserts the absolute supremacy of Christ. He is the beginning and the end of creation, the head of the Church and the universal mediator and redeemer. 

The parable of the Good Samaritan                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. Jesus presents to us the wonderful and very touching parable of the Good Samaritan for our reflection and action. On a particular occasion, a lawyer puts a pertinent question to Jesus: "Who is my neighbour?" In response, Jesus narrates the parable of the Good Samaritan. What is most disturbing in Jesus' parable is not so much the attack made on an innocent man. But the response of those two respectable persons: A priest and a Levite. They pass by the unfortunate person without showing any compassion or concern. Because for both of them the first question that came to their mind was: "What will happen to me if I stop and help this wounded man?" Whereas, the first question that came to the mind of the Samaritan was: "What will happen to this wounded man if I don't take care of him?" In a similar situation, like the priest and the Levite in the parable, many of us have ample excuses not to help those in need. It is much easier and safer to go on the other side of the road as they did. But the Samaritan brushes aside all such thoughts and opens his heart and purse to the wounded man. He goes out of his way to help this unfortunate victim. Jesus dramatically and decisively answers the question put by the lawyer through this most touching parable. He challenges everyone of us to be a neighbour to whomever our good will must go out. Jesus tells the lawyer: "Go and do likewise." The same Jesus is telling us too to be a neighbour to whoever is in need of our help and concern. In this context, Eric Hoffer says: "It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbour." St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta says: "Love begins at home; love your family and your neighbours. Share with the poor and the needy around you - your smile, your word, your time, your belongings."

Conclusion: Let us not line up with the lawyer in the Gospel and ask the wrong question: "Who is my neighbour?" Instead, let us take our stance with Jesus and ask: "How can I be a neighbour?" Let us not ask the wrong question as the priest and the Levite did: "What will happen to me if I stop and help this wounded man?" Instead, let us ask the question of the Good Samaritan: "What will happen to the wounded man if I don't stop and help him?"

May the Lord Jesus, who teaches us through the parable of the Good Samaritan to love our neighbour unconditionally, help you to put into practice this teaching of the Lord in your day- to-day life. Amen. 

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, July 13, 2025." Thanks.)