Instructions
Provisions
Regulations
Statutes
Order
Decree
Commandments
All points to one... that is the LAW.
First Reading Deuteronomy 30:10-14
10 if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
11 "For this commandment which I command you this day is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, `Who will go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, `Who will go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
14 But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
Second Reading Colossians 1:15-20
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation;
16 for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities -- all things were created through him and for him.
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.
19 For in him all the fulness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
GOSPEL Luke 10:25-37
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?"
27 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 neighbor as yourself."
28 And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30 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.
31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.
32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion,
34 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.
35 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.'
36 Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"
37 He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
COMMENTARY
God’s law is the central theme of today’s mass readings. In the first reading, Moses reminded the Israelites to keep the commandments and statues of the Lord written in the book of the law. But more than that, Moses followed it up by saying that these laws are not only written in the book of law but it is also already in our hearts. It is something that is innate in every person. As said by St. Paul, the gentiles though they may not heard of these laws have the law written in their hearts and this is precisely the thesis of Lumen Gentium. Everything in the universe was created to be regulated by the law of God.
The second reading explains that reason very well. There is a reason why all beings are under such laws. Saint Paul wrote to the Colossians that all things were created for the image of the invisible God. The firstborn of all creation. Dominions, principalities and powers, all things were created for him. That includes, moot and academically, the laws of nature. It is also said that in him all things hold together. This image of God and firstborn controls all the laws of creation. He is none other than Jesus Christ.
This Jesus Christ became man and talked to other men. A scholar of the law tried to test him by asking what must he do to inherit eternal life. Jesus didn’t get far. He gave him an answer from the very discipline this guy is familiar of—the Law. Jesus threw a question back at him. “What is written in the Law?” It is a slap on his face! It is tantamount to saying “You are an expert of the law and you do not know that it is the method of going to heaven?” He gave another question as a reply, “Who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus narrated the golden story of a good Samaritan. This story is very very radical. Jesus is trying to erase the old stigma the Jewish had with the Samaritans. It is also radical because he dared to expose the attitudes of religious leaders which every people are trying to avoid that time.
The three readings built up a very pragmatic framework of divine law. You can learn the law externally, when you read book of laws and meditate on them day and night but this method is barely ideal. However, you can also learn the laws from a person, because this law is personified through the incarnation of Jesus Christ. Moses told us that the law is already in our hearts and we only have to carry it out. But Jesus showed us a way to carry it out by giving the story of the Samaritan. Oftentimes, people only see the opposition in the Samaritan and the Levites neglecting that there are three groups here in relation to the law. First, the robbers who are breakers of the laws. You shall not steal but they did. Second, the priest and levite, who are knowledgeable of the laws but not practicing it. Third is the Samaritan, a doer of the law. It is not necessary to ask whether he knows the law by letters, his actions speaks. The law is immaterial if we are not to abide.
Application
A Good Samaritan then is a calling. Jesus is giving a mandate; be a Good Samaritan to others. This mandate is faithfully translated into action by the Boy sScout of the Philippines.
Through the years I can’t help but admire and salute the mission vision and accomplishments of the Boys Scout of the Philippines. They are more noticeable now because Jejomar Binay is already vice president. He is the head of the BSP. To be a boy scout is not to be a bully. It is a commitment to serve those in need. They are training not only to be physically fit but to render service to fellow Filipinos who are in danger, in depressing situation, in conflict with the force of nature, and abused by criminals. I think the presence of the BSP ignites the call to be one with the Samaritan man.
There are three categories of people in relation to the law as I have mentioned. Where do you belong? A robber? A levite? A Good Samaritan?
Prayer
Lord, designer of laws, help us to carry it out. May we mediate on your laws day and night. But more than that, may we learn about it through Jesus Christ that we may put these commandments into action. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Paraclete, one God forever and ever. Amen
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