BROADCASTS.com

(Dt.30:10-14;\xa0\xa0 Ps.69:14,17,30-31,33-34,36-37 or 19:8-11;\xa0\xa0 Col.1:15-20;\xa0\xa0 Lk.10:25-37)\xa0 \u201cHe lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.\u201d This \u201cSamaritan traveler\u2026 was moved with compassion\u201d upon seeing the poor victim on the road.\xa0 And so he \u201cpoured oil and wine over his wounds\u201d and provided for his healing.\xa0 Such is the love to which we are called. In our first reading, Moses exhorts us: \u201cHeed the voice of the Lord, your God, and keep His commandments\u2026\xa0 Return to the Lord, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.\u201d \xa0We are told this commandment of love is not far from us, but in our very hearts and on our very tongues \u2013 \u201cYou have only to carry it out.\u201d In our second reading, Paul tells of Jesus\u2019 presence in all creation: \u201cIn Him were created all things in heaven and on earth\u2026\xa0 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.\u201d\xa0 He tells us, too, that it is by \u201cthe blood of His cross\u201d that all things are reconciled, that peace comes.\xa0 And in our gospel, the commandment to love God and neighbor is clearly presented, both in the words of the law, and in a parable of its employment. The commandment we have is indeed to love, brothers and sisters, to love God and to love neighbor.\xa0 This word burns in our hearts.\xa0 We must \u201ccarry it out.\u201d\xa0 It does little good simply to know the law; it must be put into practice to have merit.\xa0 And who are we called to love?\xa0 Jesus makes it quite clear that we are called to love all who are in need; we are called to respond with compassion at the sight or the cry of any of His \u201clowly ones,\u201d His \u201cvictim[s].\u201d\xa0 Remember that Paul has told us that Jesus lives in and through all creation: He is not in some and not in others.\xa0 So, mustn\u2019t we help our Lord when He is in need?\xa0 Has He not told us, \u201cWhat you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me\u201d?\xa0 Is not every soul in His blessed Hand? And we must be His blessed hands here on this earth.\xa0 We must indeed be like Him.\xa0 Let us look at David\u2019s psalm.\xa0 In it we hear the cry of those \u201cafflicted and in pain\u201d calling on the favor of the Lord: \u201cIn your great kindness answer me with your constant help.\u201d\xa0 Here we see that in \u201cgreat mercy\u201d the Lord turns toward those who seek Him.\xa0 Brothers and sisters, \u201cthe Lord hears the poor\u201d and we must be as He is.\xa0 We must cry out to Him ourselves in our own need, yes, but we are also called as His disciples to serve in His place, to share His love \u2013 to pour His blood upon the wounds of those in need. Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "Coat of Warmth" (1st part) from Cleansing Human Frailty, fourth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, let us carry out your Word by caring for the needs of others in Jesus your Son. YHWH, let us do as your Son has done; let us live in and by His blood.\xa0 Compassion may we have for all in need that all might know your mercy. All things were created in and through Jesus, and all things have life because of Him.\xa0 To reconcile all things He died on the Cross that all might dwell in your peace.\xa0 And to what are we called, O LORD, but to help bring that peace to bear upon this earth?\xa0 What must we do but share His blood with all souls, that all souls might indeed find themselves alive in Him? Enlighten our eye, O LORD, to the truth of your presence in the love of your Son.\xa0 Let us see His light shining before us this day and allow it to shine through us as well.\xa0 O let your Word be fulfilled, your Word that burns in our hearts even as we speak.\xa0 You hear the prayer of all your lowly ones \u2013 may we listen to them with you.