Choose again what is good

July 11, 2019

205. Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning. We are able to take an honest look at ourselves, to acknowledge our deep dissatisfaction, and to embark on new paths to authentic freedom. No system can completely suppress our openness to what is good, true and beautiful, or our God-given ability to respond to his grace at work deep in our hearts. I appeal to everyone throughout the world not to forget this dignity which is ours. No one has the right to take it from us.

Source : Laudato Si'

Fr. Juan J. Sosa

St. Joseph Church

The commandments that God gave to Moses and the instructions that Jesus handed over to his disciples did not exceed their strength. God always gave them the necessary strength to follow the path to salvation. Today’s readings affirm that above all else, what is most important is our ability to love and to be merciful to others; such attitudes arise out of our radical conversion to the one who loved us first, and whom we discover through the gift of faith, at home, in our community, and of course, in ourselves. In our First Reading from the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses affirms that God is always near his people in order to guide them toward the Promised Land.

St. Paul reveals that Christ is the image of the invisible God, the Son of God and the Head of the Church. In Christ all has been reconciled, and through him we are united by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord’s words in today’s Gospel clearly define the mercy of God in the story of Good Samaritan. When the doctor of the Law asked who his neighbor was, Jesus’ parable defined the neighbor as anyone who needs us, especially the weakest and most vulnerable among us. In our neighbor we see the image of the invisible God, who made visible before us through faith and in love. How are we healing the wounds of our neighbors?

Fr. Juan J. Sosa
Pastor