Today may we open our eyes, mind, and heart to someone who is in need

Reading: In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. Luke 10:30.
 
Good morning, happy Monday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
The Gospel for today (Luke 10:25-37) is a familiar one. It begins with a scholar of the law testing Jesus. The scholar asks Jesus what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus fires a question back at him and asks the scholar what the law says. The man replies correctly: “You should love God wholeheartedly and also love your neighbor.” Jesus agreed that he replied correctly.
 
The scholar however is not satisfied with his answer. He then asks Jesus another question: “who is your neighbor?” Once again Jesus does not answer him directly. Rather Jesus describes a scenario in which a man who was traveling alone was robbed, beaten, and left for dead on the roadside. Eventually a priest came by, ignored him, and continued on his way. Later a Levite (a holy man) came along. He also made it a point to “pass by on the other side of the road.” He did not want to be contaminated by this unclean man. Then a while later a Samaritan came along. The Samaritans were a people despised by many of the Jews because they were a “mixed society” with both Jewish and pagan ancestry. Yet it was this “despised man” who stopped and cared for the injured man. He even took him to an inn and paid for him to be nursed back to health! His actions clearly spoke of his “love of neighbor!”

In today’s world most of us are cautioned to be careful — especially with strangers. And to a degree this is good advice. However, in today’s Gospel Jesus tells us to reach out and care for those who are in need—despite their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or political opinions!

We are busy with many appointments, as in Jericho, and have limited time to get there, so we do not want to get involved in what could distract us. Lord, give us the freedom to notice and the courage to respond to the needs of others we meet on the journey of life.
 
It is a suffering world where many carry scars from the past. Lord, help us to be oil that is poured into the wounded travelers we meet on the pilgrim road, to soothe their bruises and ease their pain. We pray to our compassionate Lord and rely on him to accompany us in serving others in a loving and generous manner, reaching out to the unlikely person we encounter.
 
I read the parable slowly, as I look at the needs I see around me, both near and far. In my family, in my neighborhood, in my country, in the world. I too ask Jesus, who is my neighbor, and listen as he or she replies. Today may we open our eyes, mind, and heart to someone who is in need and do what we can to care for them. May we have the eyes of Jesus and “see” every person as he does — one of God’s beloved!
 
Blessings,
 
Fr. Luis+