READINGS FOR THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C, SUNDAY 10TH JULY, 2022.
First Reading: Deuteronomy 30: 10-14
Psalm: 68
Second Reading: Colossians 1: 15-20
Gospel: Luke 10: 25-37
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
A sincere welcome to our Eucharistic celebration today, the Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C.
I pray honestly that my reflection today by the grace of God will lead us to the deep inner connection between our love of God and the love of our neighbours experienced in the actual circumstances of our everyday lives. May today’s reflection help us to lift up our hearts, to praise and thank the Lord for His presence in our lives especially at this difficult time.
Many scholars have asked pertinent questions about the realities and existence of eternal life. They have asked about the meaning of eternal life. Is there eternal life? How can we attain eternal life?
In our Gospel Reading today, “there was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself’. ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.” (Luke 10: 25-37).
Jesus declared that the greatest commandment is Love of God and Love of neighbour. It means therefore that love is the fulfilment of all laws. This is in line with St Paul’s observation when he said: “He who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the whole law.” (Romans 13:8).
The Lawyer said to Jesus, “who is my neighbour?” In responding to this question, Jesus used the parable of the Good Samaritan to define a neighbour. Anyone in need is my neighbour. This definition of neighbour shows that love is the way to attain eternal life. In his unconditional love, Jesus reconciles us back to God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
Confirming this teaching, Jesus asked the Lawyer, “which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands` hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.” (Luke 10: 25-37)
We are invited to emulate Christ our Lord who completely showed himself as a neighbour to humanity by shedding His blood on the cross of Calvary for our salvation. We are called to practice unconditional love and to be willing to make sacrifices for the good of our neighbours. We must be Good Samaritans to our neighbours and care for them.
May God help us to always treat our neighbours with love, kindness, care, compassion, honour, dignity and mercy now and for ever. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM.