Monday 27th week in ordinary time
"Lk 10:25-37"
A lawyer asked Jesus, "who is my neighbour?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'"
The story of Jesus explains perfectly who 'my neighbour' is. We find it easier to feel compassion for those people we see in the news, in a far distant country, than for those who live next door to us, or even under the same roof. It's easier to give way to a stranger in the street than to our sister at home; to give up our seat to someone we don't know on the train than to help our mother at home... Who's your neighbour? Look around: They are! Don't you see them?
A woman explained a lesson her dad taught her. One night at dinner her mother placed a plate of jam and a piece of extremely burnt toast on the table. The girl waited to see if her dad was going to say something. But he just ate his toast and asked his daughter about her day. The girl heard her mum apologising and never forgot her dad's reply: "Sweetie, I love burnt pieces of toast." Later that night, she went to say good night to her dad and, joking, she asked him if he really liked burnt pieces of toast. He put his arm around her shoulder and said: "Your mum put in a very long day at work today and she was very tired and still made dinner for us. Besides, burnt toast never hurt anyone but a harsh or careless word can!"
Who is your neighbour? Look around; be attentive and you will see your neighbour in the person sitting in front of you at breakfast, on the train, in class, at sports, in the streets... Be alert, for God notices how you treat His children! Mary, my Mother, teach me to love my 'neighbour' as you do, for they are your children too.
