The Fifteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time presents one of Jesus' most beloved and influential parables: the Good Samaritan. This story answers the question "Who is my neighbor?" in a way that continues to challenge and inspire.
A lawyer approaches Jesus, testing him with a question about eternal life. Jesus turns the question back: "What is written in the Law?" The lawyer answers correctly:
"He answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.'" — Luke 10:27
But seeking to justify himself, the lawyer presses further: "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus responds with a story. A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho falls among robbers who strip him, beat him, and leave him half dead. A priest comes by and passes on the other side. A Levite does the same. Then:
"But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him." — Luke 10:33-34
The Samaritan—despised by Jews as a religious and ethnic outsider—becomes the hero of the story.
Jesus asks which of the three proved to be a neighbor. The lawyer cannot bring himself to say "the Samaritan" but answers, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus responds:
"Go and do likewise." — Luke 10:37
The parable reframes the question. Instead of asking "Who is my neighbor?" (looking for limits on obligation), we should ask "To whom can I be a neighbor?" (looking for opportunities to show mercy). The Good Samaritan crossed boundaries of religion, ethnicity, and convenience to love someone in need. So must we.