The first question asked to Jesus is a an especially important one: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25).

The response is the prayer that every devout Jew recites daily and the Scripture text they touch on their doorpost entering and leaving their home.

“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 neighbor as yourself”

(v. 27, citing Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

The correct response brings forth a vital second question: “And who is my neighbor” (v. 29).

• Two leading figures from Jewish society representing first-class Jews – a priest and a Levite – do not act as neighbor (vv.31-32).
• The next person to appear is a Samaritan figure. Coming upon the Jewish man in need, the Samaritan is moved with compassion and begins to act (v. 33).

Jesus’  instruction is crystal clear: the two leading Jewish citizens did nothing to help one of their own while Samaritan they despised helps the injured Jew, even promising to make good on any additional expenses the innkeeper might incur.

Shockingly, Jesus tells the Jewish questioner to go and do likewise (v. 37). While it is impossible for us to feel the shock Jewish hearers of Jesus’ parable would have felt, there are crucial considerations:

• How measured are our lives by the constraints of our own social expectations?
• How determined are our lives by political correctness?
• How shaped are our lives by cultural and religious expectations of our peers?

Intentional disciples and communities of intentional disciples – thriving families and healthy parishes – break through political, social and religious expectations that constrict others. God’s ways lead them. The ways of God are care and compassion. They dare to reflect God’s goodness in their goodness shown to others.