The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 15, 2001
The Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Psalm 69:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37
Colossians 1:15-20
Luke 10:25-37
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
Go and do likewise.... (see: Luke 10:37)
In today's Gospel parable Jesus clarifies religious priorities.
Jewish law included many empty observances that placed undue burdens
on people and failed to bring God glory. Jesus told his questioners
that true faith gives precedence to God's love.
Some Scripture commentaries excuse the priest's and Levite's ignoring
the beaten man, citing that had they helped him, they risked becoming
"ritually impure," unable to participate in temple activities.
However, Leviticus, Chapt. 22, explains that who touches the ill or
dead is only temporarily impure; they need only to bath in water and
at sundown be again deemed purified, able to fully participate in
temple observances.
The priest and Levite used the law to spare themselves the
inconvenience of doing the work of mercy that God presented them.
Ironically, Christ repeatedly states that He desires mercy not
sacrifice; that is, the law must never place ritual above love and
compassion. Jesus further criticizes the Jews by suggesting that a
Samaritan, one of a tribe they despised as infidels, understood God's
law better than His "chosen people."
Does our "faith" amount to mere attendance at a daily or weekly
ritual while not allowing our hearts and minds to be touched by
Christ? If God sacrificed His only Son to cleanse our sin and win us
eternal salvation, are we not obliged to share God's loving mercy as
freely as He gives it to us?
Redeemer God,
Make us Christians in fact rather than in name only.
May we bring the light of Your truth
and warmth of Your love into this world. Amen.
Marie L. Bocko ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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