Love your neighbour

15th Sunday Of Ordinary Time, Year C

Today’s Gospel gives us a parable, which most probably we know by heart. This may make it more difficult for us to give it all our attention and allow the Lord to speak to us. The parable is about the good Samaritan. It is a parable which is as relevant today, as when it was first told by Jesus, more than two thousand years ago!

When Pope Francis wrote the Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti (https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20201003_enciclica-fratelli-tutti.html) he used this same parable to clarify his teachings. Pope Francis says, “Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan in answer to the question: Who is my neighbour? The word “neighbour”, in the society of Jesus’ time, usually meant those nearest us. It was felt that help should be given primarily to those of one’s own group and race. For some Jews of that time, Samaritans were looked down upon, considered impure. They were not among those to be helped… Jesus asks us to be present to those in need of help, regardless of whether or not they belong to our social group. In this case, the Samaritan became a neighbour to the wounded Judean. By approaching and making himself present, he crossed all cultural and historical barriers. Jesus concludes the parable by saying: “Go and do likewise”. In other words, he challenges us to put aside all differences and, in the face of suffering, to draw near to others with no questions asked.” (FT 80-81)

Our neighbour is not the one whom I agree with, the one who can pay me back for the good things I do to him. My neighbour is the one who needs my help. In this parable, Jesus clearly shows us how to help others. The Samaritan was very generous! He not only ignored the fact that he was a Samaritan and the other one a Jew, but he also used the oil and wine that he had. These were not extras that he was carrying. He had felt the need to take them with him. He forgot his needs and used them for the immediate and more urgent needs of the Jew. This was not all he did. For sure he had his own plans. However, instead of continuing his journey, he put the man on his animal and he walked by his side, until they reached an inn, where they could take care of him. He is generous enough to give the innkeeper money to cover expenses. 

Jesus is not asking of us something which is easy. Our first reaction to someone who usually shuns us, is to shun him back and if others are of this person’s opinion, they are also to be ignored! The Samaritan does the opposite. As parents, we influence our children, in this regard, as well. For example, if they return from school, saying that someone did something to them, what is our reaction? Do we tell them how to get even? Apart from our words, we also teach by our actions. Do we give money to charities? And if we do, what is our attitude? Is it only just to clear our conscience? How do we react to those who offend us? By our reactions, we are teaching volumes to our children.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (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 neighbour 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 neighbour?” 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 traveller 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 neighbour to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” 

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. Today, Jesus tells us, “Go and do likewise.” Think and reflect, if there were times, when you too, “passed by on the opposite side.” Why did you do this? When you help others, do you try to avoid helping certain people? Why?
  4. After listening to today’s Gospel, it is appropriate to use the Works of Mercy as an examination of conscience. The Corporal Works of Mercy are: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned, Shelter the homeless, visit the sick, bury the dead. The Spiritual Works of Mercy are: admonish the sinner, instruct the ignorant, counsel the doubtful, comfort the sorrowful, bear wrongs patiently, forgive all injuries, pray for the living and the dead. Pope Francis also advises to add care of the environment with these works of mercy.
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (Lk10, 25-37)
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a green cloth
    iv. A computer/laptop with the readings and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested).
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊 

Today, Jesus, is going to tell us another parable. What is a parable? Do you remember? It is a story which teaches us something. Let us listen to it.

  • Jesus wants us to help and love everyone
  • Printout of the activity
  • Paint which can be used on the hands (see activity below)
  • Colours 
activityDownload

Do you remember what the scholar of the law asked Jesus?

First, he asked him what he had to do to go to heaven. Jesus replied that he was to love God and his neighbour. He then asked another question. He said, “who is my neighbour?” Instead of answering his question, Jesus told the parable of the man who was on his way to Jericho. Thieves robbed him and hurt him. Two men passed, but they did not stop to help him. However, the third man to pass, not only took care of him, there on the road, but he also took him to an inn, so that they could continue taking care of him there. In Jesus’ time, the Samaritans and the Jews were not friends. There was a lot of hatred between them. When Jesus said that a Samaritan stopped to help the Jew, he wanted to be very clear regarding whom we should help and love. Jesus does not want us to choose whom we help. He wants us to help everyone in the best way possible. Therefore, at school, our neighbours could be those children who have no one to play with during break time. Jesus wants us to ask them to play with us. You have just celebrated your birthday, for example, and received money as gift. You are saving them to buy something you want. Whilst you are at church, you hear that money is being collected to help the refugees living in Malta. What would Jesus want? These people are your neighbours, too.

God gave us hands to use. What can we do with our hands?

We can do many things with our hands; we can use them to help and love others too. When you hug your parents, your brothers or sisters, or your grandparents, you are showing them that you love them. When you put the toys in their place, when you help to prepare the table, when you go to play with a friend who cannot go out because he has broken his leg, you are also showing love. When you give money to charity, you are loving others too. You can also give toys, which are in a good condition but you do not play with anymore, or else you may give a favourite toy. When you do these things, you are obeying Jesus, because you are loving your neighbour.

Today’s activity will remind you, that you are to help and love others. On the printout you have the words, “I use my hands to help and love others.” Colour them. With the help of an adult, make a palm print in the empty space, above these word or else someone can trace the outline of your hand. You may then colour it in. When ready, put this somewhere where you can see you, so that you are reminded of today’s parable and also about what Jesus would like you to do.
Whilst colouring, listen to Love one another.

Sign of the Cross

Dear Jesus, give me the strength and courage so that like the Samaritan, I help and love others. Amen.

How many commandments, are there? (10)

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is going to summarise the ten commandments into just one sentence! Afterwards he is going to tell a parable, which you surely know, to explain who our neighbour is.

  • Jesus tells us that we are not to choose between one person and another, everyone is our neighbour
  • Printout of the leaves on green construction paper
  • Printout of the handprint on different coloured construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Pencils
  • Kebab sticks
  • Tape
  • A small pot
activityDownload

In today’s parable we meet with four main characters and the thieves. There is the man walking from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the road, he is attacked by thieves, who beat him up and rob him. Two men pass but they do not stop to help him. However, a Samaritan, stops to help him. This was very unexpected, since the Samaritans and the Jews were enemies. The Samaritan helped him as best as he could. He cleaned his wounds, then he took him to an inn and paid the innkeeper for his stay and to be taken care of.

Most probably, at one time or another, we were one of these characters. Did you ever think that your friends were going to help you and yet no one offered his help? For example, you were sick and you missed some lessons. When you returned to school, none of your friends, offered to come home to help you.

Perhaps on some occasions, it could be that you behaved like the priest or the Levite. It could be that your grandparents were coming for lunch and your parents woke up late. It was going to be difficult for them to have everything ready on time. Instead of going to help, you continued playing or doing your homework. Were there times when you pretended that you did not notice that someone needed your help, hoping that someone else would offer his help instead of you? There were other times, when you met with a Samaritan. For example, you were playing football and you fell down. None of your team stopped to help you. Instead, it was someone from the other team who helped you get up. It could be that you were the Samaritan. Someone in your class was acting as a bully, something happened to him and everyone started making fun of him. Instead of joining in the name calling, you asked your friends to stop.

Jesus tells us that we are to behave towards others, in the same way we would like to be treated. If I would like others to help me, I should be the first one to offer help. If I want my friends to speak well of me, I should also speak well of others. When we love others, we are also loving God.

Do you have plants at home? They are beautiful, especially the flowering plants! We are going to make a plant and it will be more beautiful than the ones you have at home, because it will be full of love. Cut out the leaves. Tape each one to a kebab stick and put them in the pot. If the kebab sticks are long, shorten them. When you are ready, cut out the handprints. Make as many as you want, the more you have, the more beautiful your pot will be and the more you will be loving others! On each handprint, write something that you can do to help or love others. For example, help with the cleaning of the house, share your toys or games, go to a friend who is alone or call him/her, take care of your pet, give money/toys/clothes (which are new or in a good condition) to charity, pray for the sick, for the poor, for those who are living in countries where there is war. There are so many things that you can do. When you do one of these things which you have written on the handprints, put it in the pot. The more you help, the more you love, the quicker will your pot be full and beautiful.

When you are ready, listen to, Love your neighbour.

Sign of the cross.

Thank you, Jesus, for teaching us in a way that we can understand. We have hands, which you want us to use properly. We should not use our hands to hurt others, but to help others and to love them. Help us, so that like the Samaritan, we do not choose whom we help, we help anyone who is in need, and we do this willingly and to the best of our ability. Amen.

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How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.