11th july 2010

This week's Gospel on the Parable of the "Good Samaritan" draws us to reflect on the concrete opportunities we have in our Parish to respond to the poor and needy in different ways: the "Blood Donation" drive, the sales of items by our Parish's children and youth for Bible Sunday and the like.

Yes, in blood donation all it needs from us is a small sacrifice. But, this can make a significant difference to someone in need of blood or even save someone's life. We may not be aware or take this truth seriously, if we only see this project from the "giving" point of view, but not if we are at the "receiving" end as a sick and dying person.

Likewise, the gravity of the millions of people suffering in the world, whether in Africa or in our neighbourhood, will not be felt by us, if we continue to see the poor and needy as "someone else" and not as a child of God, our brother and sister. That is precisely what happened to the "Levite" and the "Priest" of this Sunday's Gospel; they only saw a dying man. Thus, they must have told themselves, "That poor man's situation has "nothing" to do with me . . ."

Do we hear Jesus saying to us, "Do you love me? If so, are you going to be the "Levite," the "Priest" or the "Good Samaritan" to Me in your home, Parish and in all situations daily?"

Yours in Christ,

Fr Philip Heng, S.J.

Read last week's article

HOMILIES WRITTEN BY FR PHILIP HENG,S.J.