Do good to others

   

  Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

10 July 2022 

 

First Reading: Dt 30:10-14

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11

Second Reading: Col 1:15-20

Gospel: Lk 10:25-37

 

Reflection

By: Benj Santiago

 

"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" ?And who is my neighbor"?

This Gospel about the Good Samaritan is one of my most favorite Bible stories of all time and I am sure most of us do too. A Samaritan is not Jewish or pure Jew. And in Jesus' time, this parable clearly shows that eternal life is not reserved only for the Jews nor for those that obey the Commandments. You can get into heaven by doing good to others.

In our present day and time, I encounter a lot of people who are challenged in their financial life brought about by the economic crisis caused by the pandemic and aggravated by the Russian and Ukraine War. So many poor people suffer and became poorer. A lot of people lost their jobs and sources of income. In these trying times, the Lord challenges us to be a "Good Samaritan" to our fellowmen. We are all called to do good to others especially the poor, the needy, and those that in the marginalized sector of our community. In my own capacity as Financial Educator, I go out and meet up with people from different walks of life to teach them how to cope with the financial crisis they face. I also am a witness to many Good Samaritan in our community who goes out of their comfort zone to help those who are in need in their spiritual needs. Everyone is our neighbor.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for blessing us so we can be a blessing to others. I pray for more Christians in both words and deeds. May the Good Samaritan inspire more people to do good to others who are in need. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.