Readings and Themes for the Week of July 11, 2010

Readings for Faith Sharing
Week of July 14, 2010,
Fifteenth Sunday

Reading I Deuteronomy 30:10-14

God’s law is planted in our hearts.

Psalm 69

“Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.”

Reading II Colossians 1:15-20

In the cross, all creation is united in Christ.

Gospel Luke 10:25-37

Even the stranger is to be loved as a neighbor.

THEME:

Go and do the same!

The scriptures challenge us to examine the world around us to discover just who our neighbors are. The law of love is not something that is beyond our reach. As believers, this law is planted within us. Let us find in today’s scriptures the inspiration and strength we need to be Christ for one another.

Questions of the week

Question for Children:

Jesus tells us to love today.

When during the past week or two have you showed your love for your family or friends?

Question for Youth:

The Samaritan reached out to a stranger and helped him.

Who are the strangers to whom you could reach out and help in the coming week or month?

How will you respond?

Question for Adults:

Jesus tells us today to love God, our neighbor and our self.

How will you love God this week? Your neighbor? Yourself?

Bulletin Bites
"Which one of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers' victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy."

“Rabbi, why do Jews always answer a question with a question?” The rabbi responded, “And why shouldn’t we?” Jesus is a Jew. When the scholar of the (Jewish) law asked him, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered with a question, “What is written in the law?” The scholar quotes Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the Lord your God with your Whole Heart, being, strength, and mind" and Leviticus 19:19 … "and your neighbor as yourself." The scholar knew the law. It had been handed down to Moses. But the scholar (a lawyer) looks for a loophole: “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answers this question with the story of the Good Samaritan, then asks, “Which one, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber’s victim?” The scholar answers, the one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus then said to him, “Go and do likewise.” The scholar had no other choice. If we are true believers in Jesus, neither do we. Jesus challenges us to want for our neighbor what we want ourselves. And everyone is our neighbor, no matter how unlovable they may be.