Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Unstoppable Power of Love

Introduction: A Little Joy in Unexpected Places

Over the past month or so, I developed a curious habit that started when my wife and I went on our first cruise. Apparently, cruisers like to place little rubber ducks all over the cruise ship for others to find. Sometimes they attach little notes to the ducks that tell where the person is from, who they are, and so forth. I decided I was going to do the same thing, but with a twist. I started placing these little Jesus figurines all over the ship. Well, it didn’t stop there – I put them out at the hospital where I work, vending machines, time clocks, elevators, beside cash registers when I’m running errands in town – whenever the urge strikes me, I reach into my pocket and place one for someone to find. One of the hospital staff members caught me a week or so ago and asked me “why?” I told him that I wanted to bring a little joy to someone’s day, maybe to someone who hasn’t felt it in a while. I asked him, “when you found one, did it make you smile?” He said it did – mission accomplished!

This small gesture ties to our readings for today. The readings echo a call to live a life centered on love – my favorite four-letter word. This is a love that transforms, a love the heals, a love that draws us closer to God. In the first reading Moses reminds the people of Israel that God's commandments are not distant or unattainable, but are written in their hearts, calling for a life of love and faithfulness. In the Gospel reading, we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus illustrates love in action, a love that transcends boundaries, expectations, and culture.

Why is this theme of love so applicable for us in today’s day and time? In a world that often feels fractured, where people are weighed down by loneliness, division, and despair, the love of God is the only force capable of truly restoring and uniting us all. Love is not just an ambiguous idea; it is the very heart of our faith and the way we are called to live as a community.

Body: Love That Moves Us Beyond Ourselves

In the first reading, Moses speaks to the people of Israel, urging them to obey God's commandments, not as a burden but as a gift that is already close to them – “in your mouth and in your heart.” This is a reminder that the essence of God's law is love. It is not something that is far away or inaccessible, after all we are created to love and act in love. God has written this law of love on our hearts, so when we choose to love, we are living out our most authentic selves.

Christ is the embodiment of God's love and mercy and we are reconciled through the blood He shed on the cross. Christ is the example to humanity that loving God with our entire being, with the very fabric of our lives, is to embrace the graces he pours out onto us and to allow those graces to transform us, extending that love to others.

Think about it: God's love is so near to us that it flows into everything we do. It’s in the way we greet a stranger with kindness, the way we forgive someone who has wronged us, or the way we care for a friend in need. Love is not just a command, it is the Divine Spirit that is pulsating within us, with every heartbeat, urging us toward goodness.

The Good Samaritan: Love that Crosses Boundaries

In the Gospel, Jesus expands this understanding of love through the parable of the Good Samaritan. When asked, “Who is my neighbor?”, Jesus does not answer with a definition but with a story that challenges us deeply. A man falls victim to robbers and is left half-dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite pass by – both representative of the Law. Both avoid the man, for whatever their reason. Then comes the Samaritan – a foreigner, an outsider, someone despised and marginalized by society and someone who would not be expected to be the hero.

The Samaritan does something completely unexpected; he stops. He is “moved with compassion” and tends to the man’s wounds, carries him to safety, and pays for his care. This is love in action – love that sees another’s suffering and cannot turn away.

Notice what Christ is showing us. The victim is representative of humanity which has been broken by sin and left helpless. The action of the Samaritan, like Jesus, is reflective of God's love: healing, restorative, and unconditional. He doesn’t pass us by but takes care of our wounds, begins the healing process, and pays the price for our healing. This kind of love doesn’t ask, “is this person worthy of my help?” It just acts. This act of mercy asks us to see every person as our neighbor, regardless of their background or our own prejudices, ideas, or preconceived notions. This is the kind of love that bridges a divided society, breaks down walls, and brings the Kingdom of God into the most unexpected places.

Relatable Examples of Love in Action

How do we see this love at work today. Think of the healthcare worker who spends an extra few minutes comforting a frightened patient; or the neighbor who mows the grass for an elderly neighbor in the heat of the summer; or the individual who anonymously pays for a strangers meal at a restaurant. These are glimpses of the Good Samaritan in our world – acts of love that restore dignity and hope.

But more importantly, these examples point us to what God is doing. Through the love we share, God is present, healing the wounds of our world. Every time we choose love – especially when it is inconvenient or challenging – we become instruments of God's grace, carrying the light of Christ into the darkness.

Conclusion: A Call to Love Boldly

What does this mean for us? Jesus ends the parable with a clear command: “Go and do likewise.” This is not a suggestion but a call to action. We are called to embody the love of the Good Samaritan in our own lives. We should look for opportunities to help someone in need, whether it is a stranger or someone close to us; we should practice forgiveness, even when it is hard, recognizing that love often means letting go of resentment; be attentive to the “small moments” where love can shine – leaving a kind note, making a phone call or visiting someone who is lonely or shut-in, or leaving little Jesus figurines where it may brighten someone’s day.

Above all, we should remember that this love is not something we generate on our own. St. Luke shows us that this love cannot remain isolated but must flow out of us like the blood and water flowed from Christ’s side. This love flows from God, who first loved us. When we open ourselves to the love of God, it transforms us and enables us to love others in ways we never thought possible. Our love for God is not complete unless there is also love for others.

As you leave here today, I invite you to reflect on this question: How can you bring the unstoppable power of God's love into the lives of those around you? We are called to evangelize and spread the Holy Gospel, so let this be your call to spread some love this coming week. Go forth and let the world see the love of Christ shining through you.