15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) - 10 July
10th July 2022
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) - 10 July
“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people and pray continually, that God may grant us that spirit of compassion, which is truly the Spirit of God.”
- St Vincent de Paul
A reflection on today's Gospel reading by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"The Good Samaritan has stood for centuries as the supreme example of one who had compassion on his fellow man. The word itself means 'to suffer with' the afflicted, the poor, the hungry and the thirsty.
"Very often a neighbour is regarded as one who lives next door, or in the same block, or in an adjoining apartment.
"Once Our Lord was asked by a lawyer, 'Who is my neighbour?'
"Our Blessed Lord answered by telling him a parable [the parable of the Good Samaritan].
"When Our Blessed Lord asked the lawyer who was the neighbour [to the wounded man], he would not say the Samaritan, because he was not permitted to say the word. He merely answered that the neighbour was 'he that showed mercy.' Our Blessed Lord then told him to go and do likewise.
"Our Lord made neighbourhood coextensive with humanity. Any human being is a neighbour who needs aid or to whom one can render aid. A neighbour is not one bound by the same race, nor is he the one close to us. He may be the one farthest away; he could even be an enemy.
"Very often misery is unrelieved because it is not clamorous. When we hear of great numbers of people lying half dead on the roadside, the very magnitude of their need is apt to make us feel that we can do little and, therefore, might be excused from doing anything.
"Some French people in a small village decided to honour a doctor who had served them for fifty years. A large vat was placed in the village square and everyone was asked to bring in a little wine. The plan was to give the whole vat, when filled, to the doctor. Each person said to himself, 'The little that I give will amount to nothing.' So each one brought a little water and poured it into the vat. In the end, the doctor had nothing.
"We are to make use of things - our possessions, our talents - as kinds of sacraments, each one of which has pronounced over it the consecrating words: 'This is offered on account of You, O Lord!' Thus the whole universe can become sacramentalised for His honour and glory. Even those in the dim borderland of acquaintance - the chance passer-by on the road, the one whom we have never seen before - all possess a quality that identifies them even with another Traveller who one day sat tired at Jacob's well: 'For what you have done to the least of these, My brethren, you have done unto Me.'" (Guide to Contentment)
An Encouraging Word from 'Fulton Sheen's Wartime Prayer Book':
We think sometimes that all God does is to see the evil we do! Do not be so discouraged. He sees every good act, every charity to our neighbour, every suppressed evil word, every drink of water given in His name.
Prayer for Peace
O God, Who brings wars to nought and shield by Thy power all who hope in Thee, overthrowing those who assail them; help Thy servants who implore Thy mercy so that the fierce might of their enemy may be brought low and we may never cease to praise and thank Thee.
O God, who has dominion over all realms, all kings, and all earthly authorities, who by striking heals, and by pardoning saves: stretch out over us Thy mercy, so that by Thy power we may enjoy peace and tranquillity and use them for our healing and amendment.
Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. 🙏💖💐
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of tenderness and mercy, I, a miserable and unworthy sinner, fly to you with all the affection of my heart and I beseech your motherly love, that, as you stood by your most dear Son, while He hung on the Cross, so, in your kindness, you may be pleased to stand by me, a poor sinner, and all Priests who today are offering the Sacrifice here and throughout the entire Holy Church, so that with your gracious help we may offer a worthy and acceptable oblation in the sight of the Most High and Undivided Trinity. Amen. 💖🙏💐