Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ Jesus,

The first reading today is from the Book of Deuteronomy and in fact is well linked with today’s Gospel reading, which urges us to listen to the voice of the Lord and keep His commandments and statutes throughout our lives. 

The second reading is from the Letter of the Colossians which comprises the same sort of teaching, but is now precise that God the Almighty is in Jesus and it is Jesus, our God & Teacher, that we must follow, and He is the head of the Church and so we must belong in the Church as one family of God.  Moreover, the Letter to the Colossians reminds us that in Jesus 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. Only in Jesus will we be able to love all others and to give our lives completely for the love of others. This is not a simple charitable task, but the whole meaning of our life.

Thus, we come back to the question of the scholar of the law: Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Do we wish eternal life? Do we even believe in eternal life? If we believe in eternal life and need to live that life, then I ought to love all others from our hearts.  

The whole focus of Luke’s Gospel today is on the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Clearly, we are called to love our neighbour.  This is the direct teaching of Jesus.  And who is my neighbour:  everyone who comes into our life in any way.  Our neighbour is every person we treat with mercy for love of the Lord Jesus, our Creator and Redeemer.  Our neighbour is each person who needs our help or asks our help or who enters our life on this pilgrim Journey. Hence, we make often the utmost whole heart effort to love everyone from our hearts. It seems difficult but possible by the grace of Jesus who loves us unconditionally.