When a Scribe asked Jesus what must he do to merit fullness of life, Jesus quoted two texts from the Law of Moses - to love God with one's whole being and to love one's neighbour as oneself. When the man asked, 'Who is my neighbour?', Jesus tells the beautiful story of the Good Samaritan which must have come as something of a surprise to his questioner. We can presume that, except for the Samaritan, the other characters in the story, including the wounded man, are all Jews. Yet two of those Jews, who were also religious men on their way to pray in the Temple, ignored the man on the road. Bleeding, he was unclean and could not be touched. It was the hated and despised outsider who came to his help. The person - no matter who he or she is - who reaches out in love and compassion to one in need is a true neighbour. What kind of a neighbour am I? And how do I combine my religious obligations with my life of service to others?
Help me, Lord, to recognise and serve You especially in those who cause me difficulties.
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DAILY OFFERING
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Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.
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PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
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INTENTION
That all those who are able to benefit from a holiday period may be helped during their vacation to rediscover in God their inner harmony and to open themselves to the love of human beings.
Elaboration
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