July 9-10

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     How do we respond to those who hate us, wish to antagonize us or, at least, marginalize us?  The Lord seems to answer this problem with His parable of the Good Samaritan.  We recall that there was great animosity between Samaritans and Jews.  Neither would have anything to do with the other.  Their views and their religions could not be further apart but when the “hated” Samaritan comes upon the beaten man he extends mercy, compassion and at his own expense cares for the unfortunate who was ignored by his own people. 

     There are a lot of people in distress these days which causes them to become concerned with their own immediate relief.  The tragedy of their own life experience blinds them to the freeing and enlightening Truth of Jesus Christ.  Though we may be perturbed by their actions, it is necessary on our part to see them as beaten individuals, hurting and in need of compassion.  Our faith demands that we be the good samaritans to those who even may reject us.  But if we approach them with the love that Jesus has for us, the transformation of their lives for the good, the true, and the beautiful is sure to come about.

With Blessings,

Father Langan