Lent 2021

  2021 Virtual Lenten Retreat WHO’S YOUR NEIGHBOR Day 7 – March 14   Today’s Reading A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.   Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.   But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity…. Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (cf. Luke 10:25-37)  The Pope’s Reflection       Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan in answer to the question: Who is my neighbor? The word “neighbor”, in the society of Jesus’ time, usually meant those nearest us. It ...

  2021 Virtual Lenten Retreat WHO’S YOUR NEIGHBOR Day 6 – March 13   Today’s Reading A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead….   But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds…. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (cf. Luke 10:25-37)  The Pope’s Reflection    Let us turn at last to the injured man. There are times when we feel like him, badly hurt and left on side of the road. We can also feel helpless because our institutions are neglected and lack resources, or simply serve the interests of a few, without and within. Indeed, “globalized society often has an elegant way of shifting its gaze. Under the guise of being politically correct or ideologically fashionable, we look at those who suffer without touching ...

  2021 Virtual Lenten Retreat WHO’S YOUR NEIGHBOR Day 5 – March 12   Today’s Reading A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.   Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.   But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. (cf. Luke 10:25-37)  The Pope’s Reflection    The parable begins with the robbers…. [W]e know them well. We have seen, descending on our world, the dark shadows of neglect and violence in the service of petty interests of power, gain and division. The real question is this: will we abandon the injured man and run to take refuge from the violence, or will we pursue the thieves?...    The parable then asks us to...