Scripture Reflection - July 13, 2025

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:10-14

Second Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

Gospel: Luke 10:25-37

“Do this and you will live.”

The scholar of the law tested Jesus, and upon hearing the answer, he wished to justify himself. Jesus responds with a heartwarming parable, teaching us a valuable lesson today. The person who lives next door is not limited to our neighbor. The scholar’s problem and our shortcomings are that we don’t think of everyone we know as our neighbor. Refusing to accept the primary law of God is what continues to separate us from the law presented to Moses. Do I acknowledge that everyone I meet is my neighbor, or do I pick and choose who I will offer assistance to? Until I realize that the whole human race is my neighbor, I can’t assume a blissful life awaits me on the other side.

Obviously, the man observed by three passersby is in mortal danger. As in other gospel accounts, the one despised is the savior. Without a doubt, this man went above and beyond observing the law. The priest and the Levite had their excuses for not helping, but a lowly Samaritan probably never gave it a second thought.

Risking your life to help someone injured is an honorable action that sometimes results in the death of the rescuer. However, in this case, the Good Samaritan didn’t fear death by helping; he simply did it.

If we observe this compassionate act more closely, we might consider how we fail to love our neighbor in a less dramatic way. Do I choose to help only people I like? Do I defend people I don’t like when someone acts unkindly toward them? Do I speak out against laws that will negatively impact the poor? What have I done to help the alien? Then think of what I have done or failed to do.

The Lord is kind and merciful. Am I living the same way?

Sr. Dorothy Maxwell, OP