The scholar of the law had answered his own question on how to inherit eternal life, ending with loving “your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus agreed, saying, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”
The scholar apparently had an additional motive. Luke says he wanted to “justify himself,” hoping Jesus would approve of his limited view of “neighbor,” which would have excluded many groups of people, including Samaritans.
Today the word neighbor generally holds a different meaning than it did in biblical times. We call those who live in close proximity to us neighbors, whereas then it generally meant people who were in your same religious and ethnic group.
So he asks Jesus the all-important question, “And who is my neighbor?”
Without this addendum, if the scholar had not been so smug, we might never have heard one of Jesus’ most beloved parables.
The story is etched on the brains and in the hearts of most Christians and many non-Christians. We can’t forget the kindness, compassion and generosity the Samaritan bestowed on his sworn enemy, the Jewish traveler, who had been terribly injured by robbers on the road to Jericho. We remember, too, how Jesus chose to depict religious leaders as ignoring and avoiding the wounded man’s suffering.
Jesus flips centuries of ill will between Jews and Samaritans in a flash. He asks the scholar who “was neighbor” to the traveler? He shows the scholar, and us, that “being neighbor” is an attitude, and that it is lived out through merciful, generous action.
Jesus also answers the unspoken question: What does this attitude, this “being neighbor” entail? The parable shows it means doing anything and everything within our power to meet someone’s – anyone’s – need.
Let us pray today that we allow the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to “be neighbor” whenever and wherever we see a need, whether it is a kind greeting, a listening ear, or a generous helping hand. And we ask the Spirit help us overcome temptations to ignore those in need or limit our actions to people within our comfort zones.
Cindy Murphy McMahon
I am retired after 17 years with Creighton’s University Communications and Marketing office, most recently as associate director of communications. I graduated in journalism from Creighton in the mid-’70s, and the skills I first learned there have provided a fulfilling career, including newspaper reporting, photography and editing; teaching; public relations and marketing; and freelance writing and editing.
A native of Chicago, I met my husband, Tom McMahon, in Omaha and we have been here for most of our married life. We have been blessed with three sons and seven grandchildren, and spending time with my family is my greatest joy.
I am grateful for the opportunity to explore my faith and the Scriptures by writing reflections for Creighton’s Online Ministries, and consider it a blessing and privilege. I enjoy hearing from, and learning from, people who read the reflections.
