ST. BEUNO’S OUTREACH IN THE DIOCESE OF WREXHAM

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Here’s a text if you’ve only a minute - - -

The Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your heart. [1st reading]

Lord, answer, for your love is kind; in your compassion turn towards me. [Psalm]

Christ Jesus is the image of the unseen God. [Second Reading]

Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbour? .. The one who took pity on him. [Gospel]

Father, let the light of your truth guide us to your Kingdom through a world filled with lights contrary to our own. Christian is the name and the gospel we glory in. May your love make us what you have called us to be. [Old opening Prayer]

This week’s texts if you want to reflect further:

Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Psalm 68; Colossians 1:15-20;Luke 10:25-37

A Samaritan ...moved by compassion,…

went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C

10th July 2016

'Who is my neighbour?’

In the First Reading, Moses tells the people that, just as the Law is

not beyond their reach, so too the Lord is very close to them. His

commandments are in their mouths and hearts.

They must obey him and, as the Psalmist reminds us, his kind love

will be with us and his compassion will revive our hearts.

We see that same compassion in today’s Gospel where Jesus

reminds a lawyer that the Law is not merely about keeping rules but

also has a human face. Love and mercy should be extended to all,

regardless of creed, race or colour.

St Paul begins his letter to the Colossians with a powerful hymn;

through Christ, the image of the unseen God, all things were

created. We, the Church, are his body and he is the head. (Second

Reading)

This week then, we might want to focus our prayer on God’s

compassion and mercy to all peoples, near and far. We could also

ask him to help us be a 'Good Samaritan' to all who need our help.

The Collect

O God, who show the light of your truth to those who go astray, so

that they may return to the right path,

give all who for the faith they profess are accounted Christians

the grace to reject whatever is contrary to the name of Christ

and to strive after all that does it honour.

Psalm 68

Seek the Lord, you who are poor, and your hearts will revive

This is my prayer to you, my prayer for your favour.

In your great love, answer me, O God,

With your help that never fails:

Lord, answer, for your love is kind;

In your compassion, turn towards me.

As for me in my poverty and pain,

Let your help, O God, lift me up.

I will praise God’s name with a song;

I will glorify him with thanksgiving.

The poor when they see it will be glad

And God-seeking hearts will revive;

For the Lord listens to the needy

And does not spurn his servants in their chains.

For God will bring help to Zion

And rebuild the cities of Judah.

The sons of his servants shall inherit it;

Those who love his name shall dwell there .

Once I am settled in my place of prayer, I may want to start simply with speaking to the Lord the words of the first line, and pause for a while.

Then, in my own time, I read the rest of this psalm slowly, stopping where a word or expression catches my eye.

If it is possible, I might want to write or type the text to let its meaning really penetrate my consciousness.

Perhaps I reflect on my own poverty and pain. I tell the Lord about it and ask for his compassionate guidance.

May be at the moment it is the poverty and pain of others around me that are on my mind. I ask the Lord to listen to them and revive their hearts.

In which areas of my life do I particularly need the Lord’s help? Where is rebuilding necessary? I ponder...

Slowly, when the time comes, I thank the Lord for being with me and return to my everyday activities in the name of the Father, and the Son….

Gospel [Part] : Luke 10: 29-37

A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and

fell into the hands of brigands, who took all he had, beat him, and

then made off, 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 while

travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved

with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having

poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal,

brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took

out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of

him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you

spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the

man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one

who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

After achieving a measure of inner calm in the way I know is best for me,

I slowly read this parable. The text is so familiar, yet there may be hidden

depths which I have not discovered yet. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me.

This time, I may choose to enter the scene and perhaps be the person left

half dead in the ditch. What sort of person am I? How do I feel?

What are my thoughts as the Samaritan starts to help? Do I speak to him?

What do I say?

I try to imagine the scene in all its details.

Has there been someone in my life who has shown me compassion and

tended to my need ? I tell the Lord about it and give thanks.

Maybe, on reflection, I also realise that I may have passed by someone

who needed my help. I try to recall the event and the circumstances.

I speak to the Lord about it all and I listen to him.

My prayer may lead me to imagine the same scene happening today.

What would it be like? Who would be the different characters?

Eventually, I bring my prayer to a close by thanking the Lord - perhaps he

has touched my heart or given me new insights.