27th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 3rd October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 10,25-37
Looking beyond Boundaries
In ancient Israel, a “neighbour” was a fellow countryman, a member of the covenant. The lawyer, in responding to Jesus, wishes to determine the minimal response to comply with the law to love one’s neighbour. He knows that if loving his neighbour is the way to life, he wants as few neighbours as possible. However, the parable teaches that neighbourliness is not found in a racial, religious, or national bond. The essence of being a neighbour is having the sensitivity to see a person in need and to act to meet the need. The Samaritan, despised by many Jews of the day, cares for the person he has never seen before, not only soothing the beaten man’s wounds, but also taking him to a place of shelter, caring for him and making sure his needs are met. The Samaritan indeed is a neighbour who looks beyond religious boundaries and sees a fellow child of God suffering and needing help.
