The priority of a Christian believer and that of his church should enable the human beings to be sensitive to the utmost cry of the truly needy, who are marginalized, neglected and ostracized. Our educational policies prioritize only the concern of this worldly affairs that benefits the elites and the rich, at the cost of neglecting the principles that Christ came to establish in the hearts of his followers. Answering to the question of the teacher of the law, Jesus illustrated through the story of the Samaritan, who expressed the greatest compassion that Jesus sets as a mandatory to inherit the eternal life: “when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Take care of him,’ he told the innkeeper, ‘and when I come back this way, I will pay you whatever else you spend on him.’” (Lk 10: 33-35). May we step down from our prestigious comfort zones, and get down to touch and heal the afflicted brethren who are lying by the roadside of our high-tech cities.

Abba, thank You for reminding us of our basic duty to extend compassion to the needy. Let Your Spirit give us courage to go down to touch and transform the lives of the neglected poor. In Jesus’ Most Wonderful Name, Amen.