September 3

My Neighbour

But when a Samaritan on a journey came upon him, he looked at him and had compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. — Luke 10:33-34 BSB

We shouldn’t conclude that Samaritans as a group were better than the Jews. Jesus used a Samaritan in this parable to teach the law of love. Whoever we find suffering in life’s paths is our neighbor, regardless of who they are. The person might seem unworthy or even be someone who has wronged us in the past. But it doesn’t matter — they are our neighbor. When we see someone in need, that person becomes our neighbor, and we owe them love.

This parable also teaches us what love means. You might say, “I can’t love difficult or unkind people. I can’t love criminals or beggars.” But no one expects you to love them as you would your family or closest friends. It’s unlikely the Samaritan had deep affection for the wounded Jew he helped. Samaritans weren’t known for loving Jews. But the Samaritan didn’t stop to consider whether he loved the man or not. He simply acted. His love wasn’t a feeling; it was a practical action.

The Samaritan’s love began with compassion. But compassion alone can be useless — just a tear that costs nothing. The Samaritan’s pity moved him to action. He bandaged the man’s wounds, took him to safety, and cared for him. That’s the kind of love the commandment calls for.