Reflection starts at 4:30 minute mark.
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time July 14, 2013
Reading 1 DT 30:10-14
In the first reading we hear Moses speaking to the people of Israel in contrasts. He compares their faith to those of the neighboring pagans and reminds them of the simplicity of their faith. Sometimes people try to make God’s law seem overbearing, mysterious, and just too much for us to handle. Here, Moses reminds us that there is no question that God wants us to know His law, and He wrote it on our very hearts.
Responsorial Psalm PS 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 Or PS 19:8, 9, 10, 11
Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Reading 2 COL 1:15-20
There are many times when the second reading or epistle doesn’t fit in easily with the first reading and Gospel. At first this reading doesn’t seem to fit, but you can see a connection with a little work.
In the translation you will hear at mass you will hear this specific reference to thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, these are some of the middle choirs of angels with very formidable titles.In a time when some were confusing the roles of the choirs of angels, and some were finding ways to make God feel more distant. St Paul reminds us that God is near, and that Jesus Christ, God Himself, is the direct mediator for the Father. It was His own blood that paid the price for us upon the cross on Calvary.
Gospel LK 10:25-37
Jesus reminds us why we even have a law. All groups, nations, and even sports require bylaws or rules. How fun would a game of football be if there were no rules to keep everyone in line? At the same time, if we focused only on the rules, the game would never be an enjoyable, and it would suck out the very life of the game.
In this Gospel, Jesus looks back at the seemingly simple law explained in the first reading. He tries to remind us that it’s not just about a checklist.
Most of us Catholics are big fans of rules and guidelines. We do well with structure, but how often do we focus so much on the law that we forget it’s about love.
The story of the good Samaritan is very familiar to us, but Jesus is proposing a very difficult and challenging idea. How can we live beyond the law or minimum requirements?
How often do we approach a situation by asking how little we can do?
There are times when have concerns and reservations about getting involved in someone else’s problems. How often do we overlook those that need love to be shown to them?
Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter
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