7 October - 2019 - undivided unity

Today's Readings

(Audio)

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
"And who is my neighbor?"

We are often guilty of excluding others. Sometimes it is because of something we have against people or groups. Sometimes it is more because we want to excuse ourselves from needing to be involved. However, in the mind of Jesus, no one should be excluded from the neighbors we are called to love as ourselves. Indeed those with the most claim on our love are precisely those who are the most in need.

But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.

Fortunately, we have the example of Jesus himself. Jesus loves us even though he is legitimately so much higher and more exalted than mere creatures. He loves us even while we conduct ourselves as his enemies (see Romans 5:8).

"The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people." - G.K. Chesterton

Jesus does not give us what we deserve but acts toward us with mercy.

He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
'Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you

We tend to be more like Jonah when he is called to preach to Nineveh. He doesn't that people saved from God's wrath. He doesn't like them and would be happy to see them wiped out. At the very least he doesn't want to be the one to lead them back into God's favor. Yet the encouraging thing about the story of Jonah is that God doesn't leave Jonah in the hardness of his heart. Nor does he do with us.

But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah;
and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish
three days and three nights.
From the belly of the fish Jonah prayed
to the LORD, his God.
Then the LORD commanded the fish to spew Jonah upon the shore.

It is by the cross of Jesus that we are transformed into people who can love whomever God brings before us. The cross breaks down all barriers that separate us from one another.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (see Galatians 3:28).

This is doubtless why the prayers we pray in mass have unity as a major focus. The Holy Trinity, three in one, delights in unity, and want to share this gift with us.

You will rescue my life from the pit, O Lord.