Through Lent with Pope Francis
Love does not care if a brother or sister in need comes from one place or another. For “love shatters the chains that keep us isolated and separate; in their place, it builds bridges. Love enables us to create one great family, where all of us can feel at home… Love exudes compassion and dignity.”
Frateli Tutti
Scripture
Luke 10:25-37 NCB
A lawyer came forward to test Jesus by asking, “Teacher, what must I do to gain eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.”
Jesus then said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”
But because the man wished to justify himself, he asked, “And who is my neighbour?”
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him and beat him, and then went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be traveling along that same road, but when he saw him he passed by on the other side.
A Levite likewise came to that spot and saw him, but he too passed by on the other side.
“But a Samaritan who was traveling along that road came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. He went up to him and bandaged his wounds after having poured oil and wine on them. Then he brought him upon his own animal to an inn and looked after him.
“The next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Look after him, and when I return I will repay you for anything more you might spend.’
“Which of those three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
He answered, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Thought for Today
Love builds bridges says the Pope. One of the titles of the Pope is Pontiff or Pontifex, originating probably from ‘bridge builder’. It is clear that the current Pope would like to be a bridge builder and peacemaker.
In today’s Gospel story from St Luke, Jesus wants to do away with divisions between traditional enemies – Jews and Samaritans.
Are there different people or groups in my life that I can mediate with, or at least help people deal with each other civilly?
Music
When I needed a Neighbour – Divine Hymns written by Sydney Carter