Commentary on the Gospel of
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Who is my neighbour?
A doctor of the law turns to Jesus and asks him this question: Who is my neighbour? And Christ answers him: Who was the neighbour of the Samaritan? It is not a question of looking for the definition of neighbour, but of loving and being close to the one who suffers.
But the doctor of the law is not satisfied with the answer that Jesus gives him; he leaves with a precise obligation that he has to carry out in his life: to make his heart work: "To love our neighbour, to be close to him". The words with which the parable concludes, "Go and do likewise", remind us of what the Lord said. It reminds us of what the Lord said to his disciples on Holy Thursday after he had washed their feet: "I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you" (Jn 13, 15). "( Jn.13, 15 ). The Church that resembles Jesus must be a true Samaritan Church.
To do this, it is not necessary to go to the heaven of the sublime: On the roads of our life, there is always a neighbour who needs our help. Because to help where I can, not to be angry, to be understanding, to remain as calm and kind as possible. This means to love our neighbour without big words, but in truth, and how many of these details we could have for our neighbour during these holidays!
The disadvantage of this parable is that it is all too easy to understand. Which of the people who passed by the wounded man do we see ourselves reflected in? In those who passed him by, or in the one who took the trouble to spend time and money to look after someone he didn't even know?
Woe to me if I do not evangelise (Chr.9,16). We could translate it like this : Woe to me if I do not help!
Prayer : Lord, we love you with all our heart, with all our soul. Help us to show you in our love for others.( Psalm 68 ) Humble, seek the Lord and he will revive your heart.
HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU ALL!
