NARRATOR: On one occasion a lawyer stood up to pose this problem to Jesus.
LAWYER: Teacher, what must I do to inherit everlasting life?
JESUS: What is written in the law? How do you read it?
LAWYER: You shall love the Holy One your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.
JESUS: You have answered correctly. Do this and you shall live.
NARRATOR: The lawyer wished to justify himself, so he asked a second question.
LAWYER: And who is my neighbor?
JESUS: There was a man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho who fell in with robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and then went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road; he saw him but continued on. Likewise there was a Levite who came the same way; he saw him and went on. But a Samaritan who was journeying along came on him and was moved to pity at the sight. He dressed his wounds, pouring in oil and wine as a means to heal. He then hoisted him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, where he cared for him. The next day he took out two silver pieces and gave them to the innkeeper with a request.
SAMARITAN: Look after him, and if there is any further expense, I will repay you on my way back.
JESUS: Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the man who fell in with the robbers?
LAWYER: The one who treated him with compassion.
JESUS: Then go and do the same.
Luke 10.25-37
Sunday Readings: Deuteronomy 30.10-14; Colossians 1.15-20; Luke 10.25-37