The parable of the Good Samaritan is well-known around the world. It was told as a response from Jesus to an expert in the law who asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied by asking, “What is written in the law? How do you interpret it?”
He replied, “Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said, “You’re right. Do this, and you will live.” He wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?
In the parable, a Jewish man is beaten, robbed, and left for dead on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. A priest and a Levite—respected religious leaders—see him and pass by on the other side. But a Samaritan—a despised outsider to the Jews—stops, bandages his wounds, pays for his care at an inn, and promises more if needed. Jesus asks, ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man?’ The expert replies, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus says, ‘Go and do likewise.’
The expert in the law’s question leads us to ask the same question: Who is my neighbor?
Is it the shut-in with debilitating arthritis who has been worn down over the years, hanging on to life by a thread?
Could it be the cancer patient, deprived of a long life and living unnoticed in a facility?
Or is it the homeless woman, stripped of everything she once knew, facing the harsh reality of the pavement?
Could it be the woman next door, worn down by a bad marriage, wishing she were dead?
Or is it the man at work who was once at the top of his game, now, in humility, must start all over?
Is it the heartbroken parent of an estranged child who has no idea where their child is and hasn’t received a call in years?
Or is it the prisoner who is facing the consequences of their actions, burdened with guilt, regret, and shame?
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ you Matthew 25:37-40
Lord, my heart knows the answer to the question. These are my neighbors. I cannot do everything to reduce the suffering in this troubled world, but I can do something, even if it is a very small action. Lord, open my eyes and show me who that is.