10.06.13

Lectio:  Lk 10. 25-37                                                                        
                     
Meditatio: “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber’s victim? He answered, ‘The one who treated him with mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise’.”  Lk 10.36,37

Oratio: O God, You call us to love our neighbors as our selves and you made it clear that being  neighbors has nothing to do with how close we live to them.

I remember Jesus in His parable about a man falling among robbers, made it clear that even those whom society considers not one of us, is still our neighbor for anyone in need of mercy is a neighbor of ours and we are to treat all in need as our neighbor and show them compassion..

Grant that I may be ever alert to the needs of others and respond to them with empathy and with steps that will be helpful for that is how God wants me to treat everyone, even a so-called stranger or a so-called outsider of our society.
I ask this and all things in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Contemplatio: spend some time in silence and meditate on the selected passage and hear what
God is saying to you.

Operatio: reflect on "neighbor...victim”; Samaritans were considered outsiders to the Jews of Christ’s time; yet Jesus used the Samaritan to bring home His definition of a neighbor and I am sure He shocked His audience with His point; but how wonderful His definition of a “neighbor” - anyone who is in need of our mercy; in prayer seek the grace to always show compassion to those who are in need for that is how God wants me to fulfill His command to love my neighbor as myself.

Tomorrow's reading: Lk 10. 38-42