The Word is very close to you

 What will I be called to do today? This question can greet us at the beginning of each day. Who am I called to become, and what will I do? So often, our prayers can read like an agenda list at a business meeting, where we put expectations on ourselves, on others, and on God. We strive to ensure that all tasks are completed in the correct order and manner. We cannot be interrupted during our activity. Our priorities rule our hearts, how we spend our money and where we focus our attention. So often we can be like the priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan, where we skirt around the person in need for fear that they will rob us or, worse still, consume our precious time. 

Yet in the story, we look to see what will disrupt and interrupt our day. The Good Samaritan takes a risk in lending a hand and spending time to ensure that the person is well cared for. They go out of their way not only to bandage the wounds but also to provide a place where the person can recover in peace. Much of our social welfare reaches out to people in need, providing them with a safety net to protect them in times of unexpected crisis. This aims to convey a practical understanding of compassion, which lies at the heart of good governance. We do not abandon people to the evil actions of those who would exploit the weak, the lonely and those who travel on their own.

This seeks to be prayerfully present to people in everyday life. It also aims to study our environment to understand how the Good News influences our way of life. We are called to be people who reflect the compassionate face of Christ to others. Through this reflection, we can examine what falls within our sphere of influence and what compels us to speak out. This is not just a reaction but a reflective practice that flows naturally from our hearts. We are called to hear and discern how God speaks to us in the everyday events of our lives. God provides the means for us to make courageous and compassionate choices. "The Word is very near to you, it is in your mouth and in your hearts for your observance."