DAILY- HOMILY

JULY 13, 2013
MEMORIAL, SAINT CAMILLUS DE LELLIS, PRIEST
15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – C

Dt 30:10-14 / Col 1:15-20 / Ps 69: 14. 17. 30-31. 33-34. 36. 37 / Lk 10:25-37

Deuteronomy 30:10-14
For you shall turn to Yahweh, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, and observe his commandments and norms, in a word, everything written in this book of the Law. These commandments that I give you today are neither too high nor too far for you. They are not in heaven that you should say: "Who will go up to heaven to get these commandments that we may hear them and put them into practice." Neither are they at the other side of the sea for you to say: "Who will cross to the other side and bring them to us, that we may hear them and put them into practice." On the contrary, my word is very near you; it is already in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can put it into practice.

Colossians 1:15-20
He is the image of the unseen God, and for all creation he is the firstborn, for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible: thrones, rulers, authorities, powers… All was made through him and for him. He is before all and all things hold together in him. And he is the head of the body, that is the Church, for he is the first, the first raised from the dead that he may be the first in everything, for God was pleased to let fullness dwell in him. Through him God willed to reconcile all things to himself, and through him, through his bloodshed on the cross, God establishes peace, on earth as in heaven.

Luke 10:25-37
Then a teacher of the Law came and began putting Jesus to the test. And he said, "Master, what shall I do to receive eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What is written in the Scripture? How do you understand it?" The man answered, "It is written: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus replied, "What a good answer! Do this and you shall live." The man wanted to justify his question, so he asked, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus then said, "There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him and went off, leaving him half-dead. It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite saw the man, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan also was going that way, and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion. He went over to him, and cleaned his wounds with oil and wine, and wrapped them in bandages. Then he put him on his own mount, and brought him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he had to set off; but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper, and said, `Take care of him, and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I return.'" Jesus then asked, "Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The teacher of the Law answered, "the one who had mercy on him." And Jesus said, "Then go and do the same."

REFLECTION
If there is anything noticeable or unusual in the parables of Jesus, it is that many of them have no endings. It is as if we are allowed to make our own endings to such stories. If we recall the story of the Prodigal Son, we are left to make our conclusion whether the older son did give way to the invitation of his father to join the celebration for the lost son.

This is also true with the Parable of the Good Samaritan that we have in today's gospel reading. In summary, someone had been beaten up and left on the road taken for dead. A Levite and a priest pass and see the man lying on the roadside, but because of good reasons, they do not stop to help. They do not want to touch the wounded man so as not to be defiled. It has to be this Samaritan, a non-Jew with whom the Jews were not friendly, who took pity on the wounded man. Out of compassion, he goes out of his way to stop and help the almost lifeless person. He cleans his wounds and even brings him to an inn to be taken care of. He leaves instructions to the innkeeper to take good care of him assuring him that he will come back to pay for his expenses. Now for the ending : Will he come back to settle his obligations?

We then see here the ingenuity of Jesus who is truly a great and interesting story teller. After all, many things in life are not readily conclusive. Of course, we all desire happy and joyful endings but there are times when the desired endings do not happen. Consequently, we just hope that even with such finale, something beautiful can still happen. Recall the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Many of his apostles were appalled with the fate of their Master whom they abandoned during that time when he needed them most. But such death has transformed the meaning of the cross which was in those days the most scandalous way to die. Now it is considered to be symbolic - a reminder of Jesus' unconditional love. His death on the cross paved the way to his resurrection in fulfillment of the Paschal Mystery. It is then not surprising how people wear a cross or crucifix nowadays for many reasons, but hopefully as a reminder of their identity as Christians, as followers of Jesus.

We go on through life with all its transitions and its temporary endings. There lies the invitation to simply trust in God's providence – that God will be the one to provide the endings that we all truly desire. Just wait to be surprised, in the same way that the Samaritan, the one least expected to help, extended assistance to someone who is considered as an adversary. God is indeed full of surprises, yet let us be assured of good endings.

PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray …
… for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the unborn.
… for the speedy recovery and healing of
- Alice Neumayier, Arnold Fessler, Mary Pattee
- Eric
… for the personal intentions of
- Pauline
- Phil Chavez
- Mary Wong
… for the eternal repose of the souls of
- Rowena Lacida-Yap, Rodney Lacida, Ernesto Apacible, Pete Guirao
Eternal rest grant unto them and may perpetual light shine upon them. May they and all the dearly departed rest in peace.
… for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Birthday: Rolly Mansanares Cabral
- In Memoriam (+): Gloria Dy Sun
… for families who are in need of healing
… for world peace and reconciliation.

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.

Have a good day!

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