Daily Reflection – October 7
In our Gospel today, a lawyer asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The question may have been genuine due to religious-mindedness or a desire to trap Jesus into answering controversial questions. However, the question is more important for us. It highlights the loftiness of our purpose and the personal responsibility to reach that goal.
The lawyer in the gospel aims to inherit eternal life by being a good neighbor to others, especially during times of pain and need. The lawyer asks the question, “Who is my neighbor?” In the Jewish understanding, a neighbor was confined to their race and nation, and was a matter of kinship, affinity, and some allegiance.
However, Jesus reverses this question, asking “to whom am I a neighbor?” This change of perspective and approach is not just a change of words but a change of attitude and way of life. A neighbor is no longer someone who is near or dear to me by affinities of blood, vicinity, or interests. A neighbor is anyone and everyone who is in need and needs my help. The good Samaritan stands as an icon for true and perfect neighborliness.
Mary, venerated as Our Lady of the Rosary, is a perfect replica of the good Samaritan, always sensitive and concerned towards the struggles and needs of her children. She mediates and intervenes constantly through her various apparitions and miracles. By doing so, we can inherit eternal life and be a good neighbor to others, especially in times of pain and need.
First Reading
In our First Reading today, Saint Paul criticizes the Galatians for abandoning the Gospel of grace and following a wrong version of the Gospel. Many Christians still believe these misleading doctrines. They believe that a child of God should never suffer or be poor. Some also believe that everyone will eventually go to heaven, and that all religions are the same. These teachings are false, misleading, and inconsistent with what Christ taught.
Furthermore, they fail to show love, compassion, kindness, and mercy. These are Christian attitudes seen in the Samaritan’s actions to the wounded Jew. Saint Paul urges Christians to reject false teachings and live according to the Gospel of love, as taught by Christ.
May God grant us the grace to do so.