Who's My Neighbour?

My wife and I were driving back home from California, hurrying to meet an appointment. When we stopped for petrol, a young woman approached me and told me that her family was stranded and needed help. The last thing I wanted to deal with was anything that would cause us further delay. I told her that I was sorry but I couldn’t help her.

When we were back on the road, the scene with the woman kept playing in my mind. She had asked for help, and I had turned her down. I said a silent prayer that God would provide the woman and her family with assistance and comfort in their time of need. I also reflected on my own failure to help them, adding a request for forgiveness for selfishly putting my own needs above those of her family.

Jesus lived a life of sacrifice and compassion, and he calls us to do the same. Today’s reading from Luke demonstrates what it means to be a good neighbour. Unfortunately, I had behaved in the same manner as the priest and the Levite in today’s reading, ignoring a neighbour in need. But while I fell short that time, it strengthened my resolve to be more sensitive in the future, and to be the good neighbour that Christ calls us to be.

Prayer: Peace-loving Father, in times of conflict, show us how to be in sync with your Spirit. Amen