Kindness Is Not Selective

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
15 July 2007



First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14
If only you obey the voice of the Lord your God, keeping those commandments and laws of his that are written in the Book of this Law, and if you return to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

For this Law that I enjoin on you today is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven, so that you need to wonder, “Who will go up to heaven for us and bring it down to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?” Nor is it beyond the seas, so that you need to wonder, “Who will cross the seas for us and bring it back to us, so that we may hear it and keep it?” No, the Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart for your observance.

Second Reading: Collosians 1:15-20
He is the image of the unseen God and the first-born of all creation, for in him were created all things in heaven and on earth: everything visible and everything invisible, Thrones, Dominations, Sovereignties, Powers – all things were created through him and for him. Before anything was created, he existed, and he holds all things in unity. Now the Church is his body, he is its head. As he is the Beginning, he was first to be born from the dead, so that he should be first in every way; because God wanted all perfection to be found in him and all things to be reconciled through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross.


Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
Then a teacher of the Law came and began putting Jesus to the test. And he said, ”Master, what shall I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What is written in the Scripture? How do you understand it?’ The man answered,” It is written: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus replied, “What a good answer! Do this and you shall live.” The man wanted to keep up appearance, so he replied, “Who is my neighbor?”

Jesus then said, “There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him and went off leaving him half dead. It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite saw the man and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, too, was going that way, and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion. He went over to him and treated his wounds with oil and wine and wrapped them with bandages. Then he put him on his own beast and brought him to an inn were he took care of him.

The next day he had set off, but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper and told him, “Take care of him and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I come back.”

Jesus then asked, “Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell to the hands of the robbers?’ The teacher of the law answered, ”The one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus said, “Go then and do the same.”

Reflection
By Annabelle Payod-Balla


Last Sunday’s Gospel talked about being a disciple. This week, Jesus is teaching us how to be a good disciple in order to receive eternal life.

One night, when my female Malaysian colleague and I were walking on our way back to the hotel, a teenager approached me. He is bigger than me, untidy and looked high on rugby. He was asking me to buy his sampaguita garlands and was very insistent. I got scared and tried to walk so fast while talking to my colleague. I wanted to get away from the teenager not only because I was afraid of him and he may have also scared my visitor, but because I am also ashamed of him. Then suddenly my companion stopped and gave the guy some peso bills which made the latter walk away from us.

That hit me hard on the head. I began to explain to my companion why I didn’t attempt to give some money. I came up with so many reasons and stories and yet deep within I felt ashamed and guilty. I could have “touched” that person and made him feel God’s love. But I turned him away. And the sad thing is he is not the only one I turned away. I have turned away people in the past because I don’t like the way they live their life or their personality.

This is not what being a disciple of God is all about. I learned that being a good disciple means taking responsibility and accepting accountability to help anyone in need. I learned that I should embrace every opportunity to touch other’s life, to make a difference by showing compassion to the neglected and less fortunate. We don’t need to do grand things to make an impact. A small act of kindness like smiling, listening and spending some of your time with those who need it can go a long way. I have witnessed how kindness could light up one person’s life, how it brings sparks to the eyes of anyone. It’s a very humbling experience and yet you’ll feel an overflowing joy and gratitude that last. And it is such a beautiful experience that I wish to repeat over and over again.

As disciples of Jesus, let us do what Moses told the Israelites in the First Reading, “Turn to Yahweh with all your heart and with all your soul.” If we do this, we will have His grace and He will surely make it easy for us to perform our duty especially if we do it together with His Son Jesus Christ for through Jesus, God willed to reconcile all things to Himself (Second Reading).

Father, please give us eyes that can see beyond our neighbor’s appearance, a compassionate heart that understands their needs and a generous being that provides endless act of kindness. Amen.

Kindness is not selective. Do it to everyone!


( Sis. Anabelle Payod-Balla is a graduate of AB Psychology at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila and now holding a key position in the Human Resources of Intel Philippines. )