Neighborly

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:36-37

Much has been written about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

We find that when an expert on the law tries to give Jesus a religious litmus test, he finds himself not only being compelled to understand what neighbor means, but to live the parable as well with the words “Go and do likewise”.

We learn from Jesus to redefine neighbor as anyone in need, rather than the proximity of people in your own community.

In a recent reading of someone’s commentary on the Good Samaritan, I found something I had not considered before. Not only does this parable teach us about ourselves and how to respond to those on the margins, but also that this parable might be talking about the nature of God as well.

For those on the margins, for those who need light and life, for those who search for food and justice, God has no limits on love. That when it comes to those on the margins, God isn’t afraid to use communities of people who are non-religious or perhaps even antithetical to religious communities. If the church won’t work for these things, then God will find other communities that will.

A 2019 University of California study suggested that atheists and agnostics are far more willing to help other people than those who identify themselves as religious. The study suggests that atheists are driven by emotions, such as compassion, as opposed to religious people, who may be more influenced by "doctrine, a communal identity, or reputational concerns." It further suggests that even though atheists tend to be less trusted, they may actually be more inclined to help their fellow citizens than more religious people.

The parable is called Good Samaritan. The story is more than a description of a spirituality that leads one to be empathetic.  It is also an assessment of religious inaction. The Samaritan, reviled and marginalized, is called ‘good’ not for any other reason than that he had mercy. The priest and Levite, members of the establishment, are vilified not because of their faith system, but because they had no empathy.

Lord Christ,

So open our eyes that we might see what the Good Samaritan saw. 

Grant us the insight to see the need in others, 

the wisdom to know what to do, and the will to do it. Amen.