In today’s Gospel, the lawyer correctly answers his own question of how he might inherit eternal life, answering that one 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.’ In response, Jesus gives us a welcome confirmation that if one lives the Christian life in this way, ‘do this and you will live.’ This isn’t unexpected; the lawyer’s answer is taken from the Jewish laws.

When the lawyer asks who his neighbour is, the story takes a subversive turn. That the Samaritan is even labelled as ‘the good Samaritan’ seemingly implies that all the other Samaritans are bad by comparison. It is this ‘good’ Samaritan that stops, not the priest or Levite, who are bound by their legal customs of cleanliness. Even in responding to the lawyer, the refutation serves to highlight inconsistencies in Jewish law, thereby further subverting ancient expectations.

This parable gives us the answer for how we might inherit eternal life, while being challenged in our actions beyond that which is comfortable. Jesus illustrates that we are called to show extreme love, care, and generosity to those beyond whom we would commonly consider our neighbours.

+ Jesus, help me to be generous beyond my fixed expectations, in being Your hands and feet to those in need. Walk with me as I love God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my strength, and with all my mind, loving my neighbour as myself. Amen.

By Nick Kelly