With Opened Bible
Who is my neighbor? (Luke10:29)
In a world where individualism and indifference often overshadow our shared humanity, the Gospel of Saint Luke serves as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the transformative power of true love, as embodied in the teachings of Christ.
A scholar who is a devout man asks Jesus, 'What must I do to inherit the Kingdom?' Apparently, like a religious man, he knows all the commandments, but deep down, the commandment he lacks is the love of neighbor, the crowning glory of all.
He thought he knew everything because he practiced religion, but he lacked the essentials because the Spirit of God did not enlighten him. So, he asks Jesus, 'Who is my neighbor?' This queston stems from a tormented heart seeking peace. In response, Jesus tells him the parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story steeped in conflict, Jesus paints an image of love that transcends all divisions, quarrels, and enmities, uniting us in our shared humanity.
The man beaten to death is a Jew. A priest and a Levite, altar servants, pass through and leave him to die. Why? It is not because they are wicked but out of obedience to the Law of Moses. Those who serve the altar must not approach blood or a corpse to avoid becoming impure. (Cf. Leviticus 21:1) It is in this religious but not sufficiently human atmosphere that the Good Samaritan (this man's sworn enemy) approaches him and relieves him (with oil and wine, images of the sacraments) and takes him into his care at an inn. By caring for his enemy, Jesus makes the Good Samaritan the epitome of the Christian who understands the true meaning of love, which is limitless and faceless.
True love, as demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan, knows no boundaries of nationality, social status, or religious affiliation. If God is love (cf. 1 John 4:8), then our love for our neighbors and even our enemies must reflect this universal truth. As the Lord commands us, 'Go and do likewise.' (Luke 10:37) Our neighbor is anyone who needs our love and care, here and now.
