Today, we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary. Pope Francis invites all Catholics to live “a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world”, today, which is one year after the Israeli-Palestinian conflict flared up. Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem added his voice to the call: “May each of us, with the rosary or in whatever form he or she sees fit, personally but better again in community, find a moment to pause and pray, and bring to the ‘merciful Father and God of all consolation’ (2 Cor. 1:3) our desire for peace and reconciliation.”
The Gospel passage reminds of about our call to discipleship in the story of the good Samaritan. As we approach the November general elections in the United States, as we continue to pray for peace in the Holy Land and around the world, we are called to be agents of Christ’s peace. What is my neighbor? A neighbor is someone who regardless of their tribe, race, nationality, gender or creed, or political affiliation, will come to your help during your greatest time of need without expecting any reward in return.
Jesus tells us in today’s gospel to see the light and to open our eyes. Good people are not only those from the same locality, tribe, race, creed etc with you. They are found in any corners of the world. There are countless of stories where good friends or neighbors fled in the face of danger and difficulties, while a stranger came to their rescue.
Jesus reminded us that the psychological barriers that we have put in our heads and hearts like race, tribe, religion, etc are not important. Sometimes they drive us away from embracing God’s Love.
Have a wonderful Week
