FIRST READING
I did not receive the Gospel from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Christ.
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatian1:6-12)
Brethren: I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel — not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. Am I now seeking the favour of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ. For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 111:1b-2.7-8.9 and 10c (R. 5b)
R/. The Lord keeps his covenant ever in mind.
I will praise the Lord with all my heart,
in the meeting of the just and the assembly.
Great are the works of the Lord,
to be pondered by all who delight in them. R.
His handiwork is justice and truth;
his precepts are all of them sure,
standing firm forever and ever,
wrought in uprightness and truth. R.
He has sent redemption to his people,
and established his covenant forever.
Holy his name, to be feared.
His praise endures forever! R.
ALLELUIA John 13:34
Alleluia. A new commandment I give to you, says the Lord, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“Who is my neighbour? ”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 10:25-37)
At that time: Behold, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered right; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back. ’ Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
The message of truth is one message that must be re-echoed and sustained. However, we must note that many people long to hear what is pleasing to them, just as many preachers also long to tell people what they desire to hear. This attitude destroys true faith and it is not good. Sincerity to the gospel must be upheld by teachers of the gospel just as followers of Christ must seek the truth and nothing else. Just as Paul draws our attention to the table of truth, Jesus’ teaching on true love for neighbour cannot be undermined. The question who is my neighbour asked by the lawyer in the gospel of today is also being asked by all of us Christians. The simple answer given by Jesus is that our neighbour is every human being created in the image and likeness of God. Consequently, our love must know no bounds whether tribal, religious or cultural. This is the truth we must uphold.