Who is my Neighbor?

Readings: 1^st: Gal 1:6-12; Ps: 111; Gos: Lk 10:15-37

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today, the Monday of the twenty-seventh week of ordinary time, Luke presents Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan.

In today’s gospel, Jesus directed the young man to the scriptures. By doing this, Jesus tries to let him understand that God could be found in his word, which is close to him.

To love God, therefore, is to love his word. He further buttressed this by telling the story of the Good Samaritan. The Word of God is personified in the Good Samaritan in today’s gospel.

The word of God is Jesus himself, who speaks to us, and Jesus, who is ever close to us like the Good Samaritan.

Today’s gospel also presents to us another way through which God is close to us. That is, in our neighbor. As a humble master, he is always available to us in simple ways and things.

He is close to us in the scriptures, in the poor, in the just, in the pious, in the marginalized, in the sick, and the weak. Like the Good Samaritan, if we search for God in these, we will find Him. The good Samaritan saw God in the victim, and so was moved to help him.

The Good Samaritan represents those who seek Christ in the weak, wounded, and destitute. He represents those who are mindful of their neighbors and wounded. Also, he represents Christ, who is always quick to come to our help when we are weak, despised, and abandoned.

He is ever ready to help us recover from our injuries, and He is so close to take care and heal us. Therefore, the psalmist asks, “Which great nation has its gods so close to it as the Lord, our God?” (Dt 4:7).

Peace be with you all.

Maranatha!