As you prepare for Sunday's Worship

“But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’”
To want to justify yourself is to want to prove yourself right or worthy, to show (off) that you’re a good person, to win a moral contest, to get yourself off the hook. 
Boy, is it tempting to live every moment of every day in this defensive/aggressive stance! Jesus frees us from such fruitless posturing. Only as we are overwhelmed by great suffering and great love (that is, forced to let down our guard) do we begin truly to experience--and share--the grace and compassion of God.
Who is someone, if they showed you compassion or mercy today, you would balk at receiving help from? Who do balk at giving compassion or mercy to? Ask Jesus for the help you need.