+ Our gospel passage for today is a compelling one. It asks very pointedly and directly: "Who is my neighbor?" It seems that the scholars of the law were in agreement as to the theory of loving God first, and loving neighbor as self, after that, – but they split the hair by asking Jesus "just who then is this 'neighbor'?" What they were implying is: "just how far-reaching does your definition go, Jesus?"
In reply, Jesus told them a story about an unfortunate person who was beat up by robbers. They did quite a job on him and left him half-dead. Three people passed by the wounded man – a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. Two of them ran across the street and passed on the opposite side: the priest and the Levite. But the Samaritan, the one you would least expect (coming from a hybrid form of Judaism) came to him immediately, poured oil and wine over the wounds and bandaged them. Then he put him on his own beast and took him to an inn and cared for him. Asking which of the three was "neighbor" – the scholar was forced to admit that it was the one who treated the man with mercy! Then Jesus told the scholar – he tells us all – go and do the same! Your neighbor is anyone at all who needs compassion, mercy and forgiveness – go and bring God's healing love to all who need it!
Today the Church also remembers the Feast of St. Benedict of Nursia – a sixth century monk and founder of Western monasticism- who chose to serve his neighbor in a special way. The Spirit of God led Benedict to Monte Cassino to organize a way of life that would offer the possibility of spending a more concentrated time, in an environment of quiet and peace for the pursuit of holy wisdom, gotten from the law of God in written form (the Scriptures) and discovering, as the first reading from the Book of Deuteronomy tell us, that the mysteries and secrets to a holy and perfect life are not too remote or far away; they are actually fact already written in our hearts – and all we have to do is to be still, listen and then carry out by word and deed what we thus experience. This, for the monk, and for the lay-person: everyone is called to be a monk or a nun for at least an hour or two a day!
Today we, the Joyful Servants of the Cross, acknowledge with gratitude the contributions that St. Benedict, composer of the Rule of Life that we follow, made to the Church. The Cross of Christ was very important to St. Benedict – and his own Crucifix is still held in highest esteem in the Church as a focal point for our meditation of God's love for his people, and as a source of defense and protection against the snares and wiles of the evil one – who though mortally wounded – is still trying to take down with him into hell as many as he can!
We, on the other hand, exist to pray and work for the purification and perfection of the Church on earth as it makes its way to heaven to be the Bride of Christ in her fullness, and the spiritual transformation of the world into the glorious Kingdom of God – that is its destiny – whether it even knows or cares about it or not!
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life. May we attend to your word at every minute of the day – in one way or another; and may it lead us to acts of kindness and true supernatural charity to any "neighbor in need!" This is our Christian vocation – this is our Monastic vocation – this is our Holy Catholic Life! Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment