15th Sunday - C (July 10, 2016)

Commentary

Luke 10: 25 - 37

“Moved with Compassion”

The Samaritan “was moved with compassion at the sight” of the victim of robbers.

This same expression appears two other times in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus uses it to describe the forgiving father at the sight of his prodigal son returning in Luke 15. The other time, it is used by Luke to describe Jesus when he sees the suffering widow of Nain whose son has died in Luke 7.

This expression is similar to saying, “the person's heart aches at the sight.”

The Samaritan's aching heart (compassion) moves him to act as the neighbor to the victim.

So is God's heart for us in our sufferings.

So is the heart of Jesus at the sight of our pains, struggles, and sins.

Looking at this parable in this way, it is a parable of God's mercy and compassion for us.

In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us allow the compassionate heart of God to touch us.

14th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20

The Kingdom of God is at Hand

Last Sunday, at the end of Chapter 9 in Luke, we heard of Jesus telling some people the first priority in life is to proclaim the Kingdom of God.

Today, at the beginning of Chapter 10, Jesus sends out 72 disciples to do that.

And Jesus gives them the content of the message they are to proclaim:  "Peace" and "The Kingdom of God is at hand."

Jesus today continues to call and send us, his disciples, to proclaim the same message: the Kingdom of God is peace.

And this is a message we are to proclaim not just by words, but also by attitude and actions.  We are to reach out to people and accept who they are and what they have to offer.   We are to cure the sick and transform people's lives with the peace of God.   

Mother Teresa puts it well, "Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness, kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."  

14th Sunday - C (July 3, 2016)

Readings

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