(Scripture from 08Oct2012 - babysitting my grandson won over writing!)
My oldest daughter lived in Salamanca, Spain her junior year of college. She had already been away from home in Colorado her freshman and sophomore years, so as tough as the distance was for me, I adjusted. At least she was in the same country. But when she left for Salamanca, I was not a quick plane trip away anymore. It's a scary thing when your child is independent. It's also incredibly endearing. At the end of Mal's year abroad (she studied at the University of Salamanca), she was walking with some friends through the main plaza speaking in English when a man (anti-American she presumed) ran up to her and punched her in the jaw. Long story short, he fractured her jaw. I received the call after the ER visit. First thing I wanted to do was jump on a plane and take care of my baby girl. But the kindness of friends and strangers provided the love and care she needed. She assured me she was just fine. Experiences like this demonstrate the need to love our neighbors unconditionally, lending a helping hand to those alone or far away from home.
The Gospel today (Luke 10:25-37) includes a very clear parable from Jesus regarding love of neighbor:
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
My oldest daughter lived in Salamanca, Spain her junior year of college. She had already been away from home in Colorado her freshman and sophomore years, so as tough as the distance was for me, I adjusted. At least she was in the same country. But when she left for Salamanca, I was not a quick plane trip away anymore. It's a scary thing when your child is independent. It's also incredibly endearing. At the end of Mal's year abroad (she studied at the University of Salamanca), she was walking with some friends through the main plaza speaking in English when a man (anti-American she presumed) ran up to her and punched her in the jaw. Long story short, he fractured her jaw. I received the call after the ER visit. First thing I wanted to do was jump on a plane and take care of my baby girl. But the kindness of friends and strangers provided the love and care she needed. She assured me she was just fine. Experiences like this demonstrate the need to love our neighbors unconditionally, lending a helping hand to those alone or far away from home.
The Gospel today (Luke 10:25-37) includes a very clear parable from Jesus regarding love of neighbor:
There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test Jesus and said, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?" He said in reply, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself." He replied to him, "You have answered correctly; do this and you will live."
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, 'Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.' Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
In Volume Seven, St. Daniel encourages us to serve others, not ourselves:
"Dear brothers and sisters, never worry about death. Please. Death is the greatest liberation you can imagine. God has the day of your death already established. It will come. And you will be ready if you serve Christ. You will have no regrets. You would not want to surrender your body to Jesus and feel as though you missed the whole point of your life. Serve, my beloved friends. Serve. Serve Jesus. Serve each other. Serve strangers. Serve. The last shall be first. Do not seek to be bigger than your earthly companions. Do not seek earthly respect and homage. Seek only to serve and through your service you will perfect your precious soul, which will join me here. We will greet you, you can be assured. We will rejoice in your coming and you will thank us for these words, particularly if you take them to your heart and let them change you. In these words you will find the greatest of wisdom. You will see that. You will not see the graces that flow from these words into your souls and through your actions for others. But you will discern the graces by a new reflective quiet. You will consider your eternity and what you would like to do to prepare for it. You have been given this day, or rather this moment. Do you know for certain that you will see the end of this day? You do not. Perhaps this moment, these next few moments, will be your last opportunity to claim something for Jesus."
Lay apostles, what can you do today to serve others? Babysit for a sleep (or exercise!) deprived young mother? Visit the elderly in a nursing home? Call a sick friend? Whatever it is, just serve and love and serve again. And most importantly, serve with no expectations of service in return.
Thank you, Lord, for the ability to serve others. Continue to present opportunities to love and care for those who are far away from home. Let my words and actions shine Your Love on all.
God bless,
Bonnie
3 comments:
Bonnie, thanks for being a good neighbor by keeping the Gospel and the Volumes in front of us so regularly. Our Lady in Medugorje reminds us reading the Gospel is one of those five things ( She calls them "little stones") we need to draw closer to Her Son. Mass, Rosary, Gospels, Fasting and Confession. Pretty consistent with the messages of the Apostolate God Bless You.
Love What you are doing to keep the Gospel and The Volumes in front of us. Our Lady and Her Son must be veey pleased!!!
Thanks, Kevin! Combining Scripture with the Volumes and all of Anne's work brings me to a deeper understanding of how life connects right in line with the Bible. All the answers are there! For me, I have found a way to correlate the meaning to my every day life.
God bless,
Bonnie
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