15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Liturgy of the Word:

Dt. 30:10-14;

Ps. 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 or

Ps. 19:8, 9, 10, 11;

Col. 1:15-20;

Lk. 10:25-37.

1. 1st Reading, Dt. 30:10-14 — Moses tells the Israelites that disobedience to God’s law is inexcusable, because of the plainness and easiness of the command. It is “very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart.”

2. Resp. Ps. 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 — The Psalmist prays and appeals to the Lord’s generous love that he be delivered from evil (vv. 14, 17). “Miserable and in pain,” he prays for protection, that he might praise and “glorify God’s name in thanksgiving” (vv. 30-31). Be glad, for the Lord hears the poor lowly ones (vv. 33-34). He “will rescue Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah.” The people will inherit it and dwell in it (vv. 36, 37).

The Psalm reminds us that our compassionate “God hears the cry of the poor.”

3. 2nd Reading, Col. 1:15-20 — The Pre-Eminence of Christ: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in Him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (vv. 15-17).

4. “He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He himself might be pre-eminent” (vv. 18). “For in Him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile all things for Him, making peace by the blood of His cross, whether those on earth or those in heaven” (vv. 18-20).

5. Probably an early Christian hymn, these poetic verses present Christ as the mediator of creation (vv. 15-18) and of redemption (vv. 18-20). He is pre-eminent and supreme as God’s agent in creation. As the image of the invisible God, Christ now shares this new nature in baptism with all the redeemed (see Col. 3:10-11). The preeminent Christ has the fullness of divinity (see v. 2:9) and grace (see Jn. 1: 16). Redemption through the blood of Christ (v. 20) is a central theme in Paul (see Col. 2: 14-15; 1 Cor. 1:17, 18, 23).

6. Gospel, Lk. 10: 25-37 — The Greatest Commandment. A scholar of the law (a Scribe) tests Jesus and asks him, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asks him what the law says. The scholar says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus tells him that he has answered correctly. “Do this and you will live” (vv. 25-28). But the scholar further asks, “And who is my neighbor?” (v. 29).

7. Jesus answers him with a parable. A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is victimized by robbers, leaving him half-dead. A priest sees the victim lying on the road, but the priest passes by (v. 31). A Levite does likewise (v. 32). But a traveling Samaritan sees the victim and evokes his compassion. He pours oil on him and takes him to an inn. He pays the innkeeper, tells him to take care of the victim and assures him of repayment upon his return (vv. 33- 35).

Jesus then asks the scholar, “Which of these three (priest, Levite, and Samaritan) was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” (v. 36). The scholar answers, “The one who treated him with mercy.” And Jesus tells him, “Go and do likewise” (vv. 37- 37.

8. An astounding story of true love of neighbor. The priest and Levite were Jewish religious leaders. It is shocking to see them refuse aid to a fellow Jew. Instead, a Samaritan, an enemy of the Jews, rescues the Jewish victim. Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for our “enemies,” for those who “persecute” us.

9. Prayer — Most loving and ever living God, you show the light of your truth to those who go astray, so that they may return to the right path. Grant us, we pray, the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ, to love you with all our heart, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers, best wishes, God bless!