＊＊＊1st Reading＊＊＊

Dt 30:10–14

For you shall turn to Yahweh, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul, and observe his commandments and norms,  in a word, everything written in this book of the Law. These commandments that I give you today are neither too high nor too far for you.    

They are not in heaven that you should say:  “Who will go up to heaven to get these commandments that we may hear them and put them into practice.”

Neither are they at the other side of the sea for you to say:  “Who will cross to the other side and bring them to us, that we may hear them and put them into practice.”

On the contrary, my word is very near you; it is already in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can put it into practice.

 

＊＊＊2nd Reading ＊＊＊

Col 1:15–20

He is the image of the unseen God, and for all creation he is the firstborn,for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible: thrones, rulers, authorities, powers... All was made through him and for him.

He is before all and all things hold together in him. And he is the head of the body, that is the Church,  for he is the first, the first raised from the dead that he may be the first in everything, for God was pleased to let fullness dwell in him.

Through him God willed to reconcile all things to himself, and through him, through his blood shed on the cross, God establishes peace, on earth as in heaven.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

Lk 10:25–37

Then a teacher of the law came and began putting Jesus to the test. And he said, “Master, what shall I do to receive eternal life?” Jesus replied,” What is written in the law? How do you understand it?” The man answered, “It is written: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus replied, “What a good answer! Do this and you shall live.” The man wanted to justify his question, so he asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus then said, “There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him and went off, leaving him half-dead.

It happened that a priest was going along that road and saw the man, but passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite saw the man, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan also was going that way; and when he came upon the man, he was moved with compassion. He went over to him, and cleaned his wounds with oil and wine, and wrapped them in bandages. Then he put him on his own mount, and brought him to an inn, where he took care of him.

The next day, he had to set off; but he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and whatever you spend on him, I will repay when I return.’”

Jesus then asked, “Which of these three, do you think, made himself neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”The teacher of the law answered,” The one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus said, “Then go and do the same.”

 

Reflection gospel：

READ: We read in the first reading that the commandments and laws of God are neither too high nor so remote, while the second reading tells us that all is created through and for Christ and holds together in him. And the gospel passage specifies the love of God and neighbor as the basis to gain eternal life.

REFLECT: The Spanish philosopher and theologian Raimon Panikkar put forward the “cosmotheandric” (cosmic/universe; theos = the divine/God; aner = human) notion or vision of reality. Simply put, all of reality exists in interdependence and interrelation. Each of the three dimensions exist in the other. In other words, one is so present in the other two, reflecting on this vision, we may speak of the profound connection of God, nature, and humans. We humans, form a single, integral relationship with God and nature. We are not separated from them. There exists a unity. That is why the first reading we able to speak of the closeness of Yahweh’s commandments and laws to us; and Saint Paul, in the second reading, was able to contemplate of Christ holding all things together in himself. Base on this relation, a genuine turning to God, or love of him, is made possible only through the love of neighbor; and neighbor, here, would include both humans and nonhumans alike. The only way to love God is by loving all that he has created.

PRAY: God, maker of all, grant us the grace to see or deep relation with the whole creation and help us feel the suffering and pain of our poor sisters and brothers and of other creatures.

ACT: Be involved in the promotion of social justice and protection of the natural world.