Today’s Gospel reading invites us to look within us and see if we have followed, or are following, Jesus’ invitation to “go and do the same” as the good Samaritan. At the present time, with all TV and newspaper reports of daytime holdup and highway robbery, perhaps we will hesitate and think twice before offering help to a “neighbor” writhing in pain on the sidewalk. Is he faking? Or does he really need help? Which reminds me of an incident many years back, when my daughter and I were on our way home. On the street where we lived, we saw an old man clutching his belly. I slowed down, and afraid that he may just be faking, drove on. But before we reached home, my daughter said, “Daddy, that man may have to be brought to the hospital.” Bothered, we backed up and asked him what was wrong.
He said he had severe abdominal pain. We asked him to get into our car, intending to take him to a hospital 3 blocks away, when he said – “I am ok na; please just give me some money for my transportation”. Then he alighted in the next corner. We might have been fooled, but what if he was actually having a heart attack and his life could have been saved?
Love of neighbor is self-denial and concern, compassion, empathy for the other. No matter what. Love of neighbor is sharing our blessings with those in need, until it hurts.