Can we go and do likewise - love our neighbours as ourselves?

<p>Fr. Glenn related a story of 2 soldiers in WWII akin to the Good Samaritan story. An American soldier, John met 2 Japanese snipers as he came out of a cave in Okinawa, carrying a wounded boy. John tended to the wounds of the Japanese boy and the 2 Japanese snipers let him go. Years later, John wrote to the Japanese newspaper relating this event and Ishibashi, one of the Japanese soldiers contacted him and they became friends. This is akin to the Good Samaritan story where a man was beaten up along the road between Jericho and Jerusalem and was left for dead. A priest and a Levite passed by, but walked away. Instead, a Samaritan, who was considered an outcast by the Israelites, tended to the man’s wounds and brought him to the inn to recuperate.</p><p>On reflection, usually we should disinfect the wound with wine and then apply oil to soothe the wound. The Samaritan did the opposite. Oil before Wine- because it is sacramental. When we do something good, it is sacramental.</p><p>Our challenge is-who is my neighbour? When we love our neighbour, we make Jesus know and Mary known, increasing our faith as well.</p><p>Jesus’ greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbour as ourselves.</p><p>- Saturday Novena Devotion by Fr. Glenn De Cruz, C.Ss.R. (8 August 2026)</p>