Luke 10:25–37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. 'Teacher,'
he said, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?' He said to him, 'What is
written in the law? What do you read there?' He answered, 'You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your
strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.' And he said
to him, 'You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.' But
wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, 'And who is my neighbour?' Jesus
replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the
hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half
dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he
passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place
and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came
near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and
bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his
own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took
out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, "Take care of him;
and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend." Which of
these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands
of the robbers?' He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.' Jesus said to him,
'Go and do likewise.'
Reflection
Can I ask God to help me to preserve the compassion to which
Jesus calls us?
How I consider my attitude to those among whom I live?