Daily Reflection for Monday, October 05, 2020
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100520.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: Galatians 1:6-12
Responsorial: Psalm 111:1B-2, 7-9 AND 10C
Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29
When I was a child learning in Sunday school about Jesus’ command to love our neighbor, I thought that “neighbor” referred to people in my neighborhood. As I grew a little older, I came to believe “neighbor” referred to people that I knew and naturally loved because they loved me. As I matured in faith and experience, I began to suspect that “neighbor” encompassed a larger, and not necessarily amiable group of people. I discovered that “neighbor” likely included many people that I did not like and that did not like me.
That realization was problematic for me. Like the scholar of the law in today’s gospel, I searched for a meaning of “neighbor” that would acquit me of failing to follow one of Christ’s fundamental commandments: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Who is my neighbor?
Is my neighbor the person who is different from me in religion, race, or creed?
Is my neighbor the person I have judged based on their education, socio-economic circumstances, or immigration status?
Is my neighbor the person with whom I vehemently disagree on political issues?
The answer is “Yes.” Who my neighbor is doesn’t depend on them; it depends on me. My neighbor is anyone I can help by being who I am, where I’m at, with the resources I possess.
The question you might consider today is this: Who do you say is not your neighbor?” And why do you say it? Would you say it to Christ’s face?
In these times of turmoil and upheaval, remember that Christ has said he will never leave us or forsake us. Peace be with you, my friends.
Melissa Kittrell