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Gospel Reading for October 7, 2024 – Luke 10: 25-37
A WORK IN PROGRESS
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.”
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The Law of God is very simple because it is summarized in one word – LOVE, and it encompasses love for God and neighbor, and it is how we may inherit eternal life. But, although the Law of God is very simple, a lot of us find it difficult to follow. This is because loving requires a PURE HEART – a heart that is free of pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to give us the strength and determination to get rid of these rubbish that are the 7 capital sins, and be able to develop and nurture a pure heart despite challenges that come our way. A Christian’s life is truly A WORK IN PROGRESS, and it reaches its completion in eternal life. What we really need is sincerity to do and give our best, and humility to accept we need help.
Let us ponder on this song written by Eugene L. Clark, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE –
I read in the Bible the promise of God
that nothing for him is too hard;
Impossible things he has promised to do
if we faithfully trust in his word.
Nothing is impossible
when you put your trust in God;
Nothing is impossible
when you’re trusting in his word;
Hearken to the voice of God to thee,
“Is there anything too hard to me?”
Then put your trust in God alone
and rest upon his word,
For ev’rything, O ev’rything!
Yes ev’rything is possible with God!
The word of the Lord is an anchor secure.
When winds of uncertainty blow;
Tho man in his weakness may
falter and fail,
His word will not fail us we know.
‘All things are possible,’
this is his word.
Receive it, ’tis written for you:
Believe in his promises, God cannot fail,
for what he has said, he will do.
Creator of all things, with infinite pow’r.
He spoke! They appeared by his mouth;
Impossible things are not known unto him,
He made us, he ruleth the earth.
