(The Good Samaritan, Aime Morot, 1880)

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 105
10 JULY 2016 A.D.



First Reading DT 30:10-14

Moses said to the people:
"If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.

"For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
'Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out."



Responsorial Psalm PS 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not."
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

Or PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11

R.Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.

They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.


(The Final Judgment, Michelangelo, Sistine Chapel, 1541)

Second Reading COL 1:15-20

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.


(Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter, Piero Perugino)

Alleluia  JN 6:63C, 68C

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel LK 10:25-37

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said,
"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law?
How do you read it?"
He said in reply,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your being,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."
He replied to him, "You have answered correctly;
do this and you will live."

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus replied,
"A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.'
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers' victim?"
He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Bible Study--15th Sunday in Ordinary Time--Cycle C
(courtesy: Vince Contreras, Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics)


"When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail to help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus". –St. Rose of Lima

Thanks brother BNA. Such a wonderful message about the " Good Samaritan"  in the Mass this week.

Thanks BNA for this weekly post.

Bless you all this coming week.

You're very welcome, angelfire and artman54!

This week's gospel is full of meaning. Recall from day one, the Jews did not associate with Samaritans and vice-versa.This was based largely on their competing religious belief of a different Pentateuch--the "Law." At their cores, they were opposed to one another. Would it be too harsh to say they disliked each other to the point on enmity or even hatred? And yet our Blessed Lord places these two opposing sides in this wonderful parable. How does Moses and "the Law" (Pentateuch) fare here? Do we have a new covenant in Jesus?  Look who comes out the "winner" here, and, oddly enough, is answered by a scholar of "the Law!" You just don't go messing with God when it comes to logic, reasoning, or arguments "Mr. Scholar!"

Maybe that's why I marvel at the construct of the Holy Mass' readings--you always have the "First Reading" which is from the Old Testament (The Law) and then you have a Second Reading "bridging" the Old and New Testaments, and finally you the the Good News of the New Testament (Jesus--the new covenant.)

Mercy transcends all nationalities and religions.

Even in humankind's most severe instances, mercy shines. Consider war. One minute each side is out to prevail and vanquish the opposing side. And yet, when the smoke clears and the guns are silent, mercy and compassion shines through it all--- a WWII Medic treating and injured Nazi soldier on the beaches at Normandy 1944.

One minute--mortal enemy. Next minute--mercy.

Spot on BNA.

What a great parallel BNA, Thanks !