Making friends by being friends

Wishing to justify himself, the man asked, "and who is my neighbor ?" (Luke 10:29)

Christ himself is the Good Samaritan who finds you and me wounded and naked on the side of the road and heals us and raises us up. He makes us his neighbors and friends. We are called to invite others to become our neighbors by being their neighbors as Christ did for us. Then we must invite them to meet our best Friend, the Good Samaritan, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever

Questions for us to ponder:

1. Do I recognize Christ as the Good Samaritan who comes to me? What wounds do I need to let him heal and bind? Have I left the inn of the Church – if not physically, spiritually – by willfully commiting grave sin?
   
2. Do I recognize that Jesus is both my Lord and my friend? (How) Am I spending time with my Friend through prayer and regular reception of the sacraments? How can I actively work to grow in the virtues so I can be a better friend?
3. When am I most tempted to act like the priest and the Levite and refuse to treat someone as my neighbor? How can I act differently in the future?

Today's readings can be found here: https://www.missalemeum.com/en/2020-08-23

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(12th Sunday after Pentecost, Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite)