CCC 299, 381: man created in the image of God; the firstborn
CCC 1931-1933: viewing neighbor as another self
CCC 2447: corporal works of mercy
CCC 1465: the priest as Good Samaritan in the sacrament of penance
CCC 203, 291, 331, 703: the Word and creation, visible and invisible
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| “The Good Samaritan” by Johann Karl Loth, 1676 |
Commentary:[4]
Reading 1: Deuteronomy 30:10-14
Commentary on Dt 30:10-14
This section of the book of Deuteronomy is part of Moses’ last discourse. In this passage the great prophet is referring to Mosaic Law which has been chronicled earlier in the book. The gist of his challenge to the people is that the Law, which in turn is an integral part of fulfilling the covenant with God, also established earlier in the book, is not difficult to keep. It is, in most cases, something they are already doing (“already in your mouths and in your hearts”).
"St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans (Romans 10:6-8), uses this passage, applying it not to knowledge of the Law but to 'the word of faith' that is preached by the apostles: it is now that word (as previously it was the Law) that makes manifest the precepts and commandments of God and (like the Law in its time, too) it should be constantly on our lips and in our heart. Theodoret of Cyprus (commenting on the Greek Septuagint version, which adds in v. 14 'and in your hands') says: The mouth stands for meditation on the divine words; the heart, readiness of spirit; the hands for doing what is commanded' ('Quaestiones in Octateuchum', 38).” [5]
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37
R. (cf. 33) Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
Commentary on Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37
Psalm 69 is a lament. In this passage the song asks God for help in dire straits, and expresses trust that the prayer will be answered. The concluding verses refer to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and Judah.
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R. (9a) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Commentary on Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Psalm 19 is a hymn of praise. In this passage, we give praise to God’s gift of the Law which guides us in our daily lives. The hymn also extols the virtue of obedience and steadfastness to the Law and its precepts. The passage also reflects the idea that following God’s statutes leads to peace and prosperity.
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Reading II: Colossians 1:15-20
Commentary on Col 1:15-20
St. Paul, in this selection, now begins to address some confusion in teachings that have been addressed to the Colossians, specifically about angels and their place in the hierarchy. The evangelist reaffirms Christ’s primacy, and his relationship as God’s only Son with authority over all things (note: “visible and invisible”). We see in this statement a clear vision of the Lord’s authority over us, our souls, and his rule both in heaven and on earth.
“As the poetic arrangement indicates, these lines are probably an early Christian hymn, known to the Colossians and taken up into the letter from liturgical use (cf Philippians 2:6-11; 1 Timothy 3:16). They present Christ as the mediator of creation (Colossians 1:15-18a) and of redemption (Colossians 1:18b-20). There is a parallelism between firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15) and firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18).” [6]
CCC: Col 1:15-20 2641; Col 1:15 241, 299, 381, 1701; Col 1:16-17 291; Col 1:16 331; Col 1:18-20 624; Col 1:18 504, 658, 753, 343, 792; Col 1:20-22 2305
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Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
Commentary on Lk 10:25-37
In this passage from St. Luke’s Gospel, we find Jesus being challenged by a person referred to as a “scholar.” It seems clear that this man has a good idea of how Jesus is likely to respond to his initial question about what he must do to inherit eternal life. As soon as the man tells Jesus what the law says, the scholar asks for still more clarification asking: “And who is my neighbor?”
"In this passage, Jesus praises and accepts the summary of the Law given by the Jewish scribe. This reply, taken from Deuteronomy (6:4ff), was a prayer which the Jews used to say frequently. Our Lord gives the very same reply when He is asked which is the principal commandment of the Law and concludes His answer by saying, "On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 22:40; cf. also Romans 13:8-9; Galatians 5:14).
"There is a hierarchy and order in these two commandments constituting the double precept of charity: before everything and above everything comes loving God in Himself. In the second place, and as a consequence of the first commandment, comes loving one's neighbor, for God explicitly requires us to do so (1 John 4:21; cf. notes on Matthew 22:34-40 and 22:37-38)." [7]
The illustration Jesus uses in answering him does clarify the answer, and at the same time, uses a cultural tension to heighten the lesson. First a priest of the Jewish temple passes the victim of robbery (one who is most scrupulous in observing the letter of the Law); next a member of the priestly class, a Levite, does the same. The one who helps the victim (presumably a Jew) is a member of the Samaritan culture, antagonists of the Jewish people. In this way, the Lord provides a moral lesson along with an explanation of the Law.
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Reflection:
For the past week in the daily Mass readings we have been reminded time and again that we are called to be disciples, and we are sent into the world to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of God. Today we are given an outstanding example of how we are to accomplish that mission.
In the first reading from Deuteronomy, we hear Moses exhorting the Hebrew people to follow the Law laid down for them. He tells them it is not an impossible thing to ask. Rather it is easily within their grasp. They can feel the rightness of it in their hearts.
As sort of an introduction to the Gospel, we also hear St. Paul, in his Letter to the Colossians, calling Jesus the “mediator of creation.” It is he who will define for us the will of God the Father, and explain what we must do to follow his will.
This great introduction flows into the story of the Good Samaritan, a story it turns out, that is a refinement of our understanding of the Great Commandment. It helps us understand that it is all mankind that we are joined to in God. The Lord did not just make us Jews, or Christians, or pagans, or Islamic, or Buddhist, or even atheists. We are all one in the eyes of God, and as such our obligation, as disciples of Christ, is to help those in need regardless of their creed or lack thereof.
Our Great Commandment is reiterated today. It is an exclamation point on this past week’s injunction to go into the world with the Good News. Strengthened with God’s grace and bolstered with his word we only need to act on our convictions.
Pax
In other years on this date in the United States the Memorial of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin. In other parts of the world, the Optional Memorial for Saint Camillus De Lellis, Priest (in the United States this memorial is perpetually transferred to July 18th.
[1] Catechism links are taken from the Homiletic Directory, published by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 29 June 2014.
[2] The picture today is “The Good Samaritan” by Johann Karl Loth, 1676.
[5] The Navarre Bible: “Pentateuch”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2003, pp. 780-81.
[6] See NAB Footnote on Colossians 1:15-20.
[7] The Navarre Bible, “Gospels and Acts”, Scepter Publishers, Princeton, NJ, © 2002, p. 423.
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