March 8, 2014

The Reading: Luke 10:25-37

³⁰Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³²So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two denarii,^* gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” ³⁶Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ ³⁷He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Question for Reflection

This story is so familiar to us that it can be hard to hear its radical nature.  Who is our neighbor?  Not the people who live next to us in similar economic circumstances and with whom we probably share a lot in common.  Not those with whom we choose to associate, whose kids go to school with our kids, or who come to our church.  No, Jesus says.  The concept of “neighbor” crosses boundaries, challenges us, takes us out of the comfort zone that the word “neighbor” usually entails.  Have you ever been a neighbor to someone in this sense?  Has someone else been a neighbor to you? What happened?  Did it change you?  The other person?

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