Year 35 No.
70 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) — Green
I n 1983, I joined an exposure
weekend trip to the Manobos
living near the Tigwa River
in the municipality of San
Fernando, Bukidnon. We visited
a Protestant mission area of the
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
(IVCF) where two young female
nurses lived with Manobos.
On one occasion, as the nurses
recounted, a Manobo basket
weaver, who seemed aloof, was
brought to their clinic because
his thigh had been pierced
by a wild pig’s sharp bagakay
bamboo trap. The nurses took
care of him and allowed him
stay in the station because he
could not walk as his wound
had developed infection. While
awaiting healing, the Manobo
weaved and made for them a
medicine cabinet out of the
rattan abundant in the area. The
nurses were so delighted for they
never expected such a practical
gift from a person they did not
know.
The Samaritan in the parable
is also an unexpected character
in the question “Who is my
neighbor?” especially because
the query comes from a Jew. In
Jesus’ time, Samaritans and Jews,
for ethnic and religious reasons,
were bitterly opposed to one
another. Thus, when the good
Borderless
Neighbor-ing
by Bro. Hansel Mapayo, SSP
Samaritan is pitted against the
religious leaders—the priest and
the Levite who may have come
from the holy city Jerusalem but
do not lift a finger (even deciding
to pass by the other side of the
road) to help the victim who by
the way is not identified by Jesus
by ethnic or religious affiliation
but is simply called a “man”—
the contrast becomes stark.
We look at a character whose
actions in the story change the
emphasis from “Who is my
neighbor” to “Are you neighbor-
ing?” Jesus is aware that the one
who tests him knows the law
well: Love God above all things
(Dt 6:5) and love your neighbor
as yourself (Lv 19:18). Jesus then
describes the Samaritan as doing
a series of actions to someone
he does not personally know:
he is moved with compassion,
approaches the victim, pours
oil and wine over the wounds,
bandages them, takes him to an
inn, cares for him, pays the inn
for the stay, leaves extra money
to continue care for the victim,
and promises to repay if the
innkeeper spends more (Lk 10:
33-35). The image of the invisible
God, Jesus who has brought
reconciliation through his cross
(Col 1:15, 20), challenges us
July 10, 2022
now—as he did the scholar of
the law, who answered that “the
neighbor” was “the one who
treated him with mercy” (Lk
10:37)—“Go and do likewise.”
Neighborhood fences and
borders are torn down by this
parable to highlight our actions
of being neighbors to each
other, and much more to the
disadvantaged, going beyond our
comfort zones and expectations.
We are asked to relate beyond
reciprocity and sacrifice in many
issues that call for neighbor-
ing: the climate crisis, poverty,
victims of violence, etc. We
need to learn from the heart of
the Samaritan who is willing to
extend help to an unknown. Our
recent experience of typhoon
Odette and the Covid-19
pandemic has shown us selfless
volunteers and frontliners who
break their normal duties to go
beyond the borders to serve and
to show compassion and mercy.
Yet, we do not have to go to
exotic or remote places to break
barriers. The story of that Manobo
weaver who, in his gratitude
and generosity, figured out the
need of that medical clinic by
the Tigwa River, reminds us of
what the First Reading tells us
about how to respond to God’s
mercy and commandment to
love. “It is not up in the sky…
Nor is it across the sea… No, it
is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in
your hearts; you have only to
carry it out” (Dt 30:12-14).
 THE INTRODUCTORY RITES
Entrance Antiphon
(Cf. Ps 17 [16]:15)
(Recited when there is no opening song.)
As for me, in justice I shall
behold your face; I shall be filled
with the vision of your glory.
Greeting
(The sign of the cross is made here.)
P—The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy
Spirit be with you all.
All—And with your spirit.
Introduction
(The priest may address the assembly
using these or similar words.)
P—In today’s Gospel, Jesus
is asked, “What must I do to
inherit everlasting life?” It is
a question that we ourselves
earnestly ask today. What must
we do in order to be saved?
Jesus narrates to us the parable
of the Good Samaritan, a story
in which people have friends
and enemies, meet accidents,
avoid trouble, or go out of their
way to help someone. To be a
neighbor is to be more human:
one who is more sensitive to
life and to the joys and pains of
people. It is in being a neighbor
that our faith is shown for what
it really is, and not merely as
an article of faith or teaching.
Penitential Act
P—Brethren (brothers and
sisters), let us acknowledge
our sins, and so prepare
ourselves to celebrate the
sacred mysteries. (Pause)
P—You were sent to heal the con-
trite of heart: Lord, have mercy.
All—Lord, have mercy.
P—You came to call sinners:
Christ, have mercy.
All—Christ, have mercy.
P—You are seated at the right
hand of the Father to intercede
for us: Lord, have mercy.
All—Lord, have mercy.
P—May almighty God have
mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
All—Amen.
Gloria heart and all your soul.
“For this command that I
All—Glory to God in the
enjoin on you today is not too
highest, and on earth peace to
mysterious and remote for you.
people of good will. We praise
It is not up in the sky, that you
you, we bless you, we adore
should say, ‘Who will go up in
you, we glorify you, we give
the sky to get it for us and tell us
you thanks for your great glory,
of it, that we may carry it out?’
Lord God, heavenly King, O
Nor is it across the sea, that you
God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus
should say, ‘Who will cross the
Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord
sea to get it for us and tell us of
God, Lamb of God, Son of the
it, that we may carry it out?’ No,
Father, you take away the sins
it is something very near to you,
of the world, have mercy on us;
already in your mouths and in
you take away the sins of the
your hearts; you have only to
world, receive our prayer; you
carry it out.”
are seated at the right hand of
the Father, have mercy on us. —The word of the Lord.
For you alone are the Holy One, All—Thanks be to God.
you alone are the Lord, you Responsorial Psalm (Ps 69)
alone are the Most High, Jesus
Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in R—Turn to the Lord in your
need, and you will live.
the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Collect
P—Let us pray. (Pause)
O God, who show the light
of your truth to those who go
astray, so that they may return
to the right path, give all who
for the faith they profess are
accounted Christians the grace
to reject whatever is contrary
to the name of Christ and to
strive after all that does it honor. 1. I pray to you, O Lord,/ for the
Through our Lord Jesus time of your favor, O God!/ In
Christ, your Son, who lives and your great kindness answer me/
reigns with you in the unity of with your constant help./ Answer
the Holy Spirit, God, for ever me, O Lord, for bounteous is
and ever. your kindness:/ in your great
All—Amen. mercy turn toward me. (R)
Liturgy of the word 2. I am afflicted and in pain;/
let your saving help, O God,
First Reading (Dt 30:10–14) (Sit) protect me./ I will praise
the name of God in song,/
The commandments of the Lord are and I will glorify him with
near to us, written in our hearts. We thanksgiving. (R)
need only to carry them out in the
daily events of life. 3. “See, you lowly ones, and
be glad;/ you who seek God,
A reading from the Book of may your hearts revive!/ For
Deuteronomy the Lord hears the poor,/ and
his own who are in bonds he
MOSES said to the people: “If
spurns not.” (R)
only you would heed the voice
of the Lord, your God, and keep 4. For God will save Zion/ and
his commandments and statutes rebuild the cities of Judah./ The
that are written in this book of descendants of his servants shall
the law, when you return to the inherit it,/ and those who love
Lord, your God, with all your his name shall inhabit it. (R)
Second Reading (Col 1:15–20)
Christ Jesus is both the image of the
invisible God and of the lowly person.
By becoming man, he has taken the
face of every man and woman.
A reading from the Letter of
Saint Paul to the Colossians
CHRIST JESUS is the image of
the invisible God, the firstborn
of all creation. For in him were
created all things in heaven and
on earth, the visible and the
invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or principalities or
powers; all things were created
through him and for him. He
is before all things, and in him
all things hold together. He
is the head of the body, the
church. He is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead, that in
all things he himself might be
preeminent. For in him all the
fullness was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile
all things for him, making
peace by the blood of his cross
through him, whether those on
earth or those in heaven.
—The word of the Lord.
All—Thanks be to God.
Alleluia (Cf. Jn 6:63c, 68c)(Stand)
All—Alleluia, alleluia. Your
words, Lord, are Spirit and
life; you have the words of
everlasting life. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel (Lk 10:25–37)
P—A reading from the holy
Gospel according to Luke
All—Glory to you, O Lord.
THERE WAS a scholar of the
law who stood up to test Jesus
and said, “Teacher, what must I
do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus
said to him, “What is written
in the law? How do you read
it?” He said in reply, You shall
love the Lord, your God, with
all your heart, with all your
being, with all your strength,
and with all your mind, and
your neighbor as yourself.
He replied to him, “You have
answered correctly; do this and
you will live.”
But because he wished to
justify himself, he said to Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied, “A man fell victim
to robbers as he went down
from Jerusalem to Jericho. They
stripped and beat him and went
off leaving him half-dead. A
priest happened to be going
down that road, but when he
saw him, he passed by on the
opposite side. Likewise a Levite
came to the place, and when he
saw him, he passed by on the
opposite side. But a Samaritan
traveler who came upon him
was moved with compassion
at the sight. He approached the
victim, poured oil and wine
over his wounds and bandaged
them. Then he lifted him up on
his own animal, took him to an
inn, and cared for him. The next
day he took out two silver coins
and gave them to the innkeeper
with the instruction, ‘Take care
of him. If you spend more than
what I have given you, I shall
repay you on my way back.’
Which of these three, in your
opinion, was neighbor to the
robber’s victim?” He answered,
“The one who treated him with
mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go
and do likewise.”
—The Gospel of the Lord.
All—Praise to you, Lord Jesus
Christ.
Homily (Sit)
Profession of Faith (Stand)
All—I believe in one God,
the Father almighty, maker of
heaven and earth, of all things
visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the Only Begotten Son
of God, born of the Father
before all ages. God from God,
Light from Light, true God from
true God, begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were
made. For us men and for our
salvation he came down from
heaven, (at the words that follow, up
to and including and became man,
all bow) and by the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin
Mary and became man.
For our sake he was crucified
under Pontius Pilate, he suffered
death and was buried, and
rose again on the third day in
accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and
is seated at the right hand of
the Father. He will come again
in glory to judge the living and
the dead and his kingdom will
have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life, who
proceeds from the Father and
the Son, who with the Father
and the Son is adored and
glorified, who has spoken
through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy,
catholic, and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the
forgiveness of sins and I look
forward to the resurrection
of the dead and the life of the
world to come. Amen.
Prayer of the Faithful
P—We pray to you, Father,
that we may learn to imitate
your unconditional love as
depicted in the parable of the
Good Samaritan. With sincerity
we pray:
R—Lord, teach us to love like
you.
C—May the ministers of the
Church—Pope Francis, bishops,
priests, and deacons—not
only speak about love, but be
compassionate and loving, so
that after preaching to others,
they too may experience the
gift of redemption. We pray: (R)
C—May government officials
not only focus on adminis-
tering the basic services of
government to the community
but also design and implement
programs that would improve the
living conditions of all citizens.
We pray: (R)
C—May those whose profession is
to help the sick and the needy—
doctors, nurses, social workers—be
strongly motivated by gentleness
and love for those whom they
render service. We pray: (R)
C—May those who “lie wounded
on the road”—street children,
victims of sexual abuse, the
old and the lonely—find good
Samaritans who will assist them
and restore their health and
confidence in You, O God, and
in themselves. We pray: (R)
C—May our departed brethren
enter into your eternal love.
We pray: (R)
C—Let us pray for the urgent
concerns of our community
and our personal intentions
(pause). We pray: (R)
P—Father of all mercies,
we come to you with praise
and gratitude for your loving
concern. May your Spirit be
always with us as we strive to
live your commandment of love.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
Liturgy of
the eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts (Stand)
P—Pray, brethren… gifts of yours that, by sinning, Prayer after Communion
All—May the Lord accept the we had lost in disobedience. (Stand)
sacrifice at your hands for the And so, Lord, with all the P—Let us pray. (Pause)
praise and glory of his name, Angels and Saints, we, too, give Having consumed these
for our good and the good of you thanks, as in exultation we gifts, we pray, O Lord, that,
all his holy Church. acclaim: by our participation in this
All—Holy, Holy, Holy...(Kneel) mystery, its saving effects upon
Prayer over the Offerings
Acclamation (Stand) us may grow.
P—Look upon the offerings
All—Save us, Savior of the world, Through Christ our Lord.
of the Church, O Lord, as she
for by your Cross and Resur- All—Amen.
makes her prayer to you, and
grant that, when consumed by rection you have set us free. THE CONCLUDING RITES
those who believe, they may THE COMMUNION RITE P—The Lord be with you.
bring ever greater holiness.
The Lord’s Prayer All—And with your spirit.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen. All—Our Father… Prayer over the People
Preface (Ordinary Time VII) P—Deliver us, Lord…
All—For the kingdom, the P—Bow down for the blessing.
P—The Lord be with you. power, and the glory are yours (Pause)
All—And with your spirit. now and for ever. May the Lord bless you and
P—Lift up your hearts. keep you.
Invitation to Peace All—Amen.
All—We lift them up to the Lord.
P—Let us give thanks to the Invitation to Communion P—May he let his face shine upon
Lord our God. (Kneel) you and show you his mercy.
All—It is right and just. P—Behold the Lamb of God... All—Amen.
P—It is truly right and just, All—Lord, I am not worthy P—May he turn his countenance
our duty and our salvation, that you should enter under towards you and give you his
always and everywhere to give my roof, but only say the word peace.
you thanks, Lord, holy Father, and my soul shall be healed. All—Amen.
almighty and eternal God. Communion Antiphon P—And may almighty God
For you so loved the world (Cf. Ps 84 [83]:4–5) bless you, the Father, and the
that in your mercy you sent us The sparrow finds a home, and the Son, (†) and the Holy Spirit.
the Redeemer, to live like us in swallow a nest for her young: by All—Amen.
all things but sin, so that you your altars, O Lord of hosts, my Dismissal
might love in us what you loved King and my God. Blessed are they
in your Son, by whose obedience who dwell in your house, for ever P—Go in the peace of Christ.
we have been restored to those singing your praise. All—Thanks be to God.