Fourth Sunday after Trinity - Reflection by Canon Leslie

Today is the Fourth Sunday after Trinity, when the reading from Luke’s Gospel is the narrative of the Good Samaritan. The context is set by a conversation between Jesus and a teacher of the law. The teacher of the law poses the question ‘Who is my neighbour?’ Jesus addresses the question by telling the story of a traveller who was ambushed and left for dead. The priest and Levite pass by; after all contact with a corpse would have made them ritually unclean.  The Samaritan who helps is a foreigner and an outcast.  Jesus tells us to follow that Samaritan’s example.
 
For those of you who wanted to do some thinking and preparation for today’s service during the preceding week, I invited reflection on the image of neighbours. In today’s picture from their book, Myself and Others, Aled and Sian are meeting their neighbours from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds.  
 
 
Lord Jesus Christ,
you teach your disciples
to follow the example of the good Samaritan.
Help us to respond to the needs of others,
with sensitivity, generosity and care,
that we may show your love to the world;
for you are our God.
Amen.
 
Next week is Consecration Sunday for Liverpool Cathedral, when we recall and celebrate the consecration of the Cathedral in 1924. The Gospel reading for today is John’s account of Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem. The image to help us prepare for next week’s theme is house of prayer. You can find out more about that theme here https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials.