• Lord Jesus, you understood the deepest meaning of the law and the commandments: Lord, have mercy.
• Christ Jesus, you challenge us to examine who is truly our neighbor: Christ, have mercy.
• Lord Jesus, you call us to live with compassion for the most marginalized: Lord, have mercy.

SOURCE: CELEBRATION

Salvation is Not Limited to One Nation or Race or People

The Gospel parable reminds us of the scope of God’s plan and the primary means of its fulfillment. Salvation is not limited to one nation or race or people. Even enemies like the Jews and Samaritans have to come together. And the means of creating such unity is love. “Who is my neighbor?” the Jewish scholar asks. The proper question is “Who is not my neighbor?” We all come from the same source and are destined to the same fulfillment in Christ. How can we exclude anyone from our love and concern?

This focus on unity is also supported by Paul’s reminder that Christ is the head of the body, the church. If we are one body, then we all have to care for one another and learn to live in harmony.

This, of course, is an ideal that is never fully realized in human affairs. Dissension and disagreement are an inevitable part of the human experience. Yet these do not excuse us from loving and caring. Jesus commanded us to love even our enemies, so we surely should care for our brothers and sisters even when we disagree.

So how do we communicate such ideas and vision to the parish? Certainly, preaching about the cosmic Christ can help. Prayers can lift up the call to unity in Christ. But perhaps we also need to ask ourselves if we as parish ministers give witness to the quest for unity in our own actions and interactions. Example speaks louder than words! If your own example seems weak in this area, what can you do to foster better unity as a team of ministe

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SOURCE: NCR Online Celebration Archive

CHURCH – Pope, Bishops, Priests
WORLD – Peace
SPECIAL NEEDS – Pro-Life | Year of Hope
COMMUNITY – Families | Sacraments