Monday, 7 October 2024. Readings: Galatians 1:6-12, Ps. 111:1-2,7-10, Luke 10:25-37
“Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” … “Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25,37)
A lawyer met Jesus, wanting to know the secret of inheriting eternal life. This lawyer asked Jesus what he would do to assure him of eternal life. This prompted Jesus to tell the story of the Good Samaritan, and He concluded by saying, “Go and do likewise.”
- By telling us to do likewise, Jesus is saying that we should look for our neighbours from among persons who have been hurt and beaten by life’s challenges. Always put yourself in the shoes of your fellow human beings and try to see how you can be of help to them.
- Be kind to people based on their needs, not their skin colour, state of origin, language, or tribe. The Samaritan went out of his way to help this man even though it was forbidden for a Samaritan to associate with a Jew.
- Jesus wants us to be kind, especially to those who hate us, those who practice a different religion, and those who may never repay our love.
- Helping others is a command. If all we do is amuse ourselves and gossip about the misfortunes of others, then we are not truly Christians. Jesus played Good Samaritan when he decided to be born as a man to live among us and die for our sake. We must do likewise.
- When helping others, always seek to please God. No matter how you try, you can never please human beings. In today’s First Reading, St. Paul says: “Am I now seeking the favour of men or God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10).
- Today, we celebrate the memorial of “Our Lady of the Rosary”. The feast of the Holy Rosary was instituted by Pope Pius V to celebrate the anniversary of the defeat of the Turkish fleet at the battle of Lepanto on the first Sunday of October 1571, which ended the threat of Muslim domination of the Mediterranean and was ascribed in part to the prayers and processions of the Rosary confraternity in Rome. Later, the feast was moved to the fixed date of 7 October.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, touch our hearts to respond to our neighbour’s misfortunes like the Good Samaritan. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Our Lady of the Rosary. Bible Study: Galatians 1:6-12, Ps. 111:1-2,7-10, Luke 10:25-37).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
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