Recently, in this month of July, we celebrated the fourth. It is a blessed time to celebrate the birth of our nation, lights in the sky with fireworks, booming sounds, which is the sound of freedom, and with parades, and communal meals and gatherings, with proud display of the American Flag. They are outwards expression of joy, blessings and gratitude. We give thanks for the gift and values of our nation, and the ideal for each individual to have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We are blessed to have the gift of freedom, especially the liberty to practice our faith. Throughout the world, many people don't have that luxury, for instance in China, where they had to practice their faith secretly, or underground. Or in territories where Christianity is a minority, and many experience hardships and persecutions just for being a Christian. As we think about the people who experience hardships for their faith, and what the early Christians had to endure for proclaiming Christ as the risen Lord. May we always be grateful, that we are blessed to live in this wonderful nation, that we don't experience those kinds of persecutions for following Christ and proclaiming Christ. That we can go to Church and pray with little worry that our life will be in danger. We can pray in public with little worry, confident that we are safe and protected. If something were to happen, there will always be some form of justice. Many of us may not have been born here, but America is a place that we call home. As we are blessed, may we always be grateful, and at the same time, may we pray and help those who are searching for a better life for themselves and their family. That those who seek a new home, where they could freely worship God, and where they can feel safe and protected while doing so.

In the Gospel today, a scribe asked Jesus the question: “Who is my neighbor?” If someone were to ask you that same question, how would you respond? Who is your neighbor?

Perhaps it's those people to live close to us, it's the people that live in our neighborhood, folks who live next door, or those who live on the same street, or those in the same cul-de-sac, our co-workers, our family and friends, the people whom we are mostly familiar with.

The Lord replied to this question by telling the parable about the Good Samaritan. It is a powerful and moving story, and it ultimately reveals the sacred and merciful heart of Christ. There was a man robbed, beaten and left by the road. While everyone avoided him, because according to the law of Moses, touching that kind of person meant that they would be rendered unclean. The Samaritan was not so much worried about that. He was moved with compassion. The Samaritan not only took care of his wounds, but he also went the extra mile, and brought him to an inn where the man could regain his health, and the Good Samaritan also paid for the inn.

Who is my neighbor?

When we think about the word neighbor, perhaps there are only a limited number of people that fall into this category and circle. But Jesus wanted his followers to broaden that circle of neighbor. The Samaritans were people that the Jewish folks did not like or accept. Nevertheless, the Samaritan was the hero in this story. He did something that no one would dare. The Samaritan was truly neighbor to that man. Often times, we have labels for ourselves and for one another. But for Jesus, people are people, all are created in the image and likeness of God, and all belong to God.

Story: When I first read the history of St. John Vianney, I was moved by the original motto. The motto is: “We are the light on Finn Hill for all peoples.” That everyone, whether they are Catholic or not, they could see this place as their spiritual home, a place where everyone could come and connect with God, a place where they could find the help that they needed. As we receive the body and blood of Christ, we become also the body and blood of Christ, and that we see one another as a sister and brother in Christ.