This Sunday, Jesus offers us the parable of the Good Samaritan- a story both familiar and radical. When a legal scholar asks, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds not with a theological treatise, but with a story that cuts through excuses and justifications. The Samaritan, an outsider, shows us what love of neighbor truly looks like: compassion, sacrifice, and presence.

As Pope Francis reminds us in Evangelii Gaudium, the Gospel must always be lived in a way that makes it shine forth in our daily fidelity to the Gospel. And that is the heart of today’s parable. Loving God and neighbor is not theoretical- it is practical, embodied, and often inconvenient. It means crossing the road, tending wounds, and offering time and resources for someone who may never be able to repay us.

At St. Michael Parish, we are being invited to do just that—not only as individuals, but as a community. This past week, we joyfully welcomed Fr. Antonidass Amirthanathan, HGN, as our new parochial vicar. A missionary priest from India, Fr. Antonidass brings with him a wealth of pastoral experience and a spirit of joyful service. He’s already begun settling in, guided by Fr. Toniyo, and we look forward to getting to know him in the weeks ahead. Let us extend to him the hospitality of the Good Samaritan and pray that his ministry among us will bear abundant fruit.

We also extend a warm welcome to three visiting Redemptorist Fathers who are speaking to us about their missionary work in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Their presence reminds us that the call to love our neighbor reaches far beyond the familiar. The second collection this weekend supports their mission, which includes building churches and serving communities in places like Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine—often under very difficult conditions. By our generosity, we join in their work of mercy.

In last weekend’s homily I offered some practical advice for summer evangelization that continues to resonate with this weekend's Gospel. We are all part of Christ’s advance team, sent out to gently, peacefully invite others home. My suggestions were simple—mention the peace you find at Mass, invite someone to come with you, and be gentle and real in sharing your faith. As I said, we plant the seeds and let God do the farming.

This echoes the words to us of St. John Paul II in Redemptoris Missio: “Faith is strengthened when it is given to others” (RM 2). Evangelization doesn’t mean arguing or proving points. It means being a neighbor- especially to those who have grown distant from the Church. And summer is a perfect season for this kind of gentle witness.

St. Michael Parish spans six churches across Central Maine, but our mission is more than maintaining buildings- it’s about becoming a people of invitation, a people of mercy. Like the Samaritan, we are called to cross boundaries, heal wounds, and build up the Body of Christ through acts of concrete love.

So this week, let us ask: Who is my neighbor? And more importantly: How will I be a neighbor?

Whether it’s welcoming Fr. Antonidass, supporting the Redemptorist mission, or simply offering a kind word or an invitation to Mass, let us heed the words of Jesus: “Go and do likewise.”

May we be faithful to this call. May our presence this summer be peaceable, healing, and inviting. And may St. Michael the Archangel guard our mission with courage and strength.