The worst insult that one could direct to a Jew was “dog” or “pagan”; the second was “Samaritan,” which amounted to “bastard, renegade, heretic!” (John 8:48). The Jews had their good reasons for believing that the Samaritans were of the “excommunicated.” They were contaminated with pagan cults, had forgotten the traditions of their fathers and lived impurely (2 Kings 17).
Today’s Gospel begins (Vv. 25-29) with a teacher of the law who asks Jesus: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Let us take note that he speaks of “inheriting” eternal life. The inheritance — we know — is not earned; one receives it completely free of charge.
Jesus, instead of answering, elicits an answer. The rabbi quotes the scriptures and says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuternonomy 6:5) – Every good Jew knew this by heart because they recited this verse twice a day for their morning and evening prayers. The rabbi also added a verse from the book of Leviticus: “and your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Perfect answer!
However, knowing the Word of God is not enough to inherit eternal life. Jesus asks the rabbi to “Do this, and you shall live!” Doing it – loving your neighbour – is a new challenge. Who should be considered one’s neighbour? The rabbi wanted to establish well the boundaries of love. The book of Leviticus had directed the Jews to love only the children of Abraham. The Samaritans would not be included in the category of the neighbours!
However, for Jesus, there is no barrier between peoples, and the problem is not knowing how far love should reach but how to demonstrate it by loving God and the brothers and sisters. He does not answer the question either, instead brings out the answer from the questioner himself, through the parable of the traveller from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was attacked by robbers who beat him, robbed him and left him half dead along the way.
There are two noble Jews — two “church people” who pass by the wounded and dying man — a priest and a Levite. The parable creates their image as insensitive and who do not feel compassion—the first of God’s feelings (Exodus 34:6). This means that the religion they practice is hypocritical.
The Samaritan who walks by sees the wounded man, risks his own life, treats him with oil and wine and takes him to the inn. He gives two denarii — the two day’s wages — to the innkeeper with a promise to return on the third day. Perhaps, Jesus was presenting a self-portrait in the person of the Samaritan! He became the neighbour for the wounded humanity by picking up their battered lives on his shoulders; he pays for our lives with his own body and blood and moves away with the promise to return on the third day!
The Gospel presents a challenge to discern how to become a neighbour who draws near, is capable of loving, and shows to have assimilated the merciful conduct of God.
For your reflection
To inherit eternal life, be a caring neighbour to the needy, even risking our own lives.
Father Fernando
Armellini SCJ
