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The Good Samaritan


Gospel
Luke 10:25-37
The good Samaritan

There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’
    But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands‘ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’

Reflection on Luke 10:25-37 – The Good Samaritan
In this powerful parable, Jesus challenges us to rethink the meaning of “neighbor.” The lawyer’s question, “Who is my neighbor?” reveals a common human tendency to limit compassion to those we consider close or similar to ourselves. Yet Jesus turns this notion upside down by making the Samaritan—the outsider and traditional enemy—the example of true love and mercy. The Samaritan’s actions show that being a neighbor means responding with compassion and care to anyone in need, regardless of social boundaries or personal inconvenience.

This story calls us to examine our own hearts: Are we willing to cross the road, to step out of our comfort zones, and to extend kindness to those who may be different, marginalized, or in distress? Loving God fully, as the lawyer rightly quotes, is inseparable from loving our neighbor with the same depth and sincerity.

Question for Reflection:
In what ways might I be called today to be a “good Samaritan” to someone in need, even if it requires sacrifice or challenges my prejudices?

Prayer Inspired by the Good Samaritan

Merciful God,
You call us to love without limits and to see every person as our neighbor.
Open our eyes to those who suffer and our hearts to respond with compassion.
Help us to overcome fear, indifference, and prejudice, so we may be instruments of your healing and grace.
Teach us to love as you love—fully, freely, and faithfully.
Guide our steps that we may go and do the same, bringing your light to a world in need.
Amen

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