Show Mercy to Those Whom You Hate: 15th Sunday Ordinary Time

Introduction

(15^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

A pleasant day to everyone!

        In today’s Gospel, Jesus is asked, “What must I do to inherit everlasting life?” It is a question that we ourselves earnestly ask today. What must we do in order to be saved? Jesus narrates to us the parable of the Good Samaritan.

        This is a story in which people have friends and enemies, meet accidents, avoid trouble, or go out of the way to help someone. To be a neighbor is to be more human; one who is more sensitive to life and to the joys and pains of people. It is in being a neighbor that our faith is shown for what it really is, and not merely as some form of dogma.

Prayers of the Faithful

(15^th Sunday Ordinary Time)

(Priest):                        Let us pray that we may learn to imitate the unconditional love of God as depicted in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. With all sincerity we pray:

“Lord, let us love you in others.”

(Reader):

·       That the ministers of the Church, Pope Francis, bishops, priests and deacons may not only speak about love, but be compassionate and loving, so that after preaching to others, they themselves may receive the gift of salvation, we pray: (R)

·       That our newly elected officials may not only focus on administering the basic services of government to the community but also design programs that would improve the living condition of the citizenry, we pray: (R)

·       That those whose profession is to the help the sick and the needy – doctors, nurses, social workers – may be strongly motivated by gentleness and love for those they help, we pray: (R)

·       That those who “lie wounded on the road” – the street children, the victims of sexual abuse, the old and the lonely – may find good Samaritans who will assist them and restore their health and confidence, we pray: (R)

·       That the Lord may reward those who prove to be good neighbors to us, and that we in turn may learn to give a helping hand to those in need, we pray: (R)

(Priest):                        Father of all mercies, we come to you with praise and gratitude for your loving concern. May your Spirit be always with us as we strive to live your commandment of love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.