Spiritual Quote of the Day (Gospel of Luke, on the Good Samaritan)

“But wanting to justify himself, [a scholar of the law] asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ 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 traveling 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 neighbor 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.’”—Luke 10:29-37 (New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition)

This, one of the most famous of Christ's parables, gains in poignancy when one remembers the animus that so many Jews of his time had for Samaritans. A priest and a Levite, both members of groups deeply familiar to his audience, pass by the robbed and half-dead traveler. It's only a person from the despised Samaritans who comes to the traveler's aid. 

If even someone from an "out" group can react with mercy, Jesus is telling his listeners (and us), why can't you?

The image accompanying this post, The Good Samaritan, was created by the Italian Renaissance painter Jacopo Bassano (c. 1510-1592).