Alleluia - Cf. Jn 6:63c, 68c
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel - Lk 10:25-37
There was a scholar of the law who 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.”
But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied,
“A man fell victim to robbers
as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road,
but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place,
and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim,
poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal,
took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
‘Take care of him.
If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.’
Which of these three, in your opinion,
was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?”
He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
“Oh he is nothing but a do-gooder!” I have heard people talk that way about others, probably meaning that he does all those good things in order to be seen. That remark, I think however, can take away from the importance of reaching out to others and even take away from the true meaning of the Good Samaritan parable.
And at times it happens when someone does not understand the teachings of the Catholic Church that they will talk like this: “Catholics think that if they do a lot of good works for the Church or others that it will win their way to heaven. Catholics think that you do not need Faith in Jesus , but just a lot of good works.” This is not at all the truth! Catholics believe that we are saved by the Precious Blood of Jesus and the Holy Wood of the Cross, and then our good works show Jesus that we believe and that we know that each of us must be a Good Samaritan to get to Heaven. Nothing less!
One Good Samaritan story: A family of six from Ohio took an adventurous ride to Alaska in August in a camper. Their Winnebago broke an axle in the middle of some very wild country along the way. The dad walked to a farm where he found the owner who, without knowing the family, got out the tools and the welder and — after hours of effort — fixed their vehicle. How grateful the family was because the trip could have been a disaster! “How much do I owe you?” the dad asked the farmer. “Nothing,” was the farmer’s reply! “It was nice to have all six of you here for the day. You made my day.”
Who is the Good Samaritan? He is my neighbor — anyone in genuine need. Moreover, learn the true meaning of the parable about the Good Samaritan: It is doing good and having faith in Jesus, Who alone truly saves us and Who truly knows that everyone — every man, woman, boy, and girl — is a neighbor and in genuine need. That is one of our tickets to Heaven!
Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish
First Reading - Dt 30:10-14
“If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.”For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out.”
Responsorial Psalm - Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37
I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:
in your great mercy turn toward me.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
I am afflicted and in pain;
let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song,
and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
The descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
Second Reading - Col1:15-20
Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn of all creation.
For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,
the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;
all things were created through him and for him.
He is before all things,
and in him all things hold together.
He is the head of the body, the church.
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
that in all things he himself might be preeminent.
For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile all things for him,
making peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.
Spiritual Communion
It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.
Spiritual Communion Prayer
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
And unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.
Catholic Resources for the Homebound Parishioner
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica 343 Via Mount Carmel, Youngstown, OH 44505 Ph. 330-743-4144 | Office of Religious Education: 330-743-3508
Saint Anthony of Padua Church 1125 Turin Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44510 PO Box 1256, Youngstown, OH 44501 Ph. 744-5091
