October 8, 2018 Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time-B
Galatians 1:6-12
Psalm 111
Luke 10:25-37
“You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart…being…strength and mind and your neighbor as yourself” Lk. 10:27
Lord, the lawyer had the right answer for what is required to inherit eternal life. He knew in his mind that loving God and neighbor was the right response. But his love had boundaries. His love had limitations when it came to actually living this truth. In this case, Samaritans were not his neighbors. Gentiles were likely not his neighbors either. Your story about the robber’s victim and the enemy of the Jews who showed kindness brought home the truth that mercy and compassion have no limits. You suffered and died for all mankind not just those of certain ethnic groups, political parties, nationalities or economic levels. We are such a divided people right now. I am too picky about who I regard as my neighbor. I conjure up all kinds of excuses not to love as you have called me to love. I really need your help to change my heart and to look at those who are different from me in new ways. My neighbor is the drug addict, the cranky old woman next door, and the man whose politics I can’t stand. May I see you in everyone I meet. Amen.