SUNDAY REFLECTIONS | 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

By Social Communications

Published on July 13, 2025

“A scholar of the law stood up to test Jesus and said, ‘Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘What is written in the law? How do you read it?’ He said in reply, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.’ He replied to him, ‘You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.’”
(Luke 10:25–28)

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus is approached by a scholar of the law who asks a fundamental question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus, as He often does, responds by turning the question back to the man himself. The scholar answers well—love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. But he then seeks to justify himself by asking another question: “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus answers with one of His most well-known parables—the story of the Good Samaritan. A man is beaten, robbed, and left for dead on the road. A priest and a Levite, both respected religious figures, see the man but pass by on the other side. Then comes a Samaritan—a foreigner, someone considered an outsider and even an enemy to the Jews. And yet, it is this Samaritan who stops, cares for the wounded man, tends to his injuries, and ensures his ongoing care.

This story is both simple and deeply challenging. It calls us to examine our own hearts. Who do we consider our neighbor? Are we willing to cross lines of comfort, culture, and convenience to show mercy to others? Jesus is not merely telling us to be kind—He is calling us to a radical love that sees beyond boundaries and reaches those most in need.

The Samaritan does not ask if the man on the road is worthy of help. He does not worry about what it will cost him or what others will think. He is moved with compassion. This is the heart of Christian love: seeing with the eyes of mercy, and acting with the hands of Christ.

Jesus ends the parable with a clear and personal command: “Go and do likewise.” The invitation is not to admire the story, but to live it. Each day presents opportunities to be a neighbor—to the poor, the lonely, the sick, the stranger, the overlooked. Sometimes, like the priest and the Levite, we are tempted to turn away, to avoid inconvenience, or to remain comfortable. But Jesus calls us to a love that goes beyond words—into action.

As disciples of Christ, we are called to love as the Samaritan did: generously, sacrificially, and without hesitation. And in doing so, we reflect the love of Jesus Himself, who came to our aid when we were broken and in need of mercy.

Let us ask for the grace to recognize our neighbor in every person we meet—especially those the world tends to ignore. May our hearts be open, our eyes attentive, and our hands ready to serve. And may we, in loving our neighbor, draw closer to the eternal life we seek.