Gospel of the Day

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?"

And 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 neighbor as yourself."

And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, 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, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion,

and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'

Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?"

He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Reflection

A scholar asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus draws the answer from the man's own lips: love God and love your neighbor. But the scholar, wishing to justify himself, asks, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story that demolishes every boundary we place around mercy.

A priest and a Levite pass by the wounded man. Their reasons may have seemed legitimate—ritual purity, pressing duties—but Jesus makes clear that no obligation excuses indifference to suffering. The Samaritan, despised by Jewish society, becomes the icon of compassion. He sees, is moved with pity, and acts. Love is not a feeling alone; it is costly, inconvenient, and concrete.

Jesus Himself is the true Good Samaritan. He descended from heaven, found humanity beaten and left for dead by sin, and poured out the oil and wine of His sacraments to heal us. To "go and do likewise" is to extend to others the mercy we ourselves have received from Christ, without counting the cost.

Lord Jesus, You are the Good Samaritan who healed my wounds with Your grace. Open my eyes to those suffering beside me, and give me the courage to love without limits or conditions, as You have loved me. Jesus, I trust in You.