15th Sunday in ORdinary Time

+ Today we have magnificent summer readings. Jesus tells us quite plainly that we must treat others, especially the lowly, the poor and the sick with as much care and compassion that we can – giving from our want if necessary. What matters is people! What matters is our brothers and sister in the family of God that we belong to. What matters is loving concern.

 

When we hear this exhortation we just know that it is true; there is a little bell that it rings that only grows louder and louder, the more we try to ignore it. The people of Israel, in the time of Moses, had a difficult time with heavenly-attention-span, as much as this generation – and they kept on “searching high and low” for something that was not only “right in front of their noses,” but deep down inside their beings, in their hearts. GOD WROTE THE MESSAGE OF LOVE AND COMPASSION ON EVERYONE’S HEART so we would be sure to find it. The only problem is that he gave us free will and we can tell him “no thanks” – “leave me alone” - “I’d rather keep searching – at least I might have some kind of excuse for not being informed, if I just keep searching the skies, or looking across the seas (for what will never be found looking there.)”

 

Well, fortunately for those who were happy to have God’s law written in their hearts and tried to live out what they read there – God sent an example, a friend and redeemer THE PERFECT HUMAN BEING, who would TRANSFORM HUMANITY INTO DIVINITY – all for the price of death on a Cross for him and then resurrection; this DIVINE FRIEND is JESUS CHIRST, and belief and living a life of loving obedience and compassion after his example will win a place in heaven with him forever!

 

We have our choice today – use that free will – that precious gift given in order for us to lovingly and without constraint to seek and find God, and serve him with all our heart, being and strength – and others because of him – all others, whether we like them or not, whether they are of our clan or country-club set or not – we must be Good Samaritans – if we are to truly reflect the image of Christ to others! - or we will not reflect his image and we will bring disaster upon ourselves.

 

Where we will spend eternity depends on our answer!

 

Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;

you have the words of everlasting life.

So, to whom else can we go?