THE Parable of the Good Samaritan, which can be found in the gospel of Luke (chapter 10, verses 29-37), is one of the best known of Jesus’ parables. But it is one we all need to be reminded of especially at this time, when so many dreadful things are happening in our world and when the presence of evil and the suffering of the innocent are so palpable, sadly even in our own country. We might just want to run away and hide!

This story is Jesus’ response to an enquirer who asked what the most important commandments are. “Love God and love your neighbour,” replied Jesus. “But who is my neighbour?” the enquirer asked.

The amazing thing about this story is that it is the Samaritan who is the hero! In those days the Samaritan would have been the outcast. The Jews loathed the Samaritans and considered themselves far superior to them. They would refuse to have any dealings with Samaritans; they wouldn’t even speak to them! Yet not only does the Samaritan rescue and give first aid to the injured Jew but he sees he is provided for at the inn and pays his bill!

We are all called to love our neighbours, to look after our fellow men. We are here reminded that our neighbour includes those who are outside our usual social context - the outcast, the vulnerable, the foreigner, the refugee in our midst – and that we should be equally willing to care for them as for our immediate family and friends. How wonderful if we all did that! Our old tribal instinct is to stay within our clan – “people like us” with whom we feel more at ease - but Jesus challenges us to forget the in-built prejudices we have of people who are different from us.

However we might respond to that particular challenge, Jesus reminds us that every human person is unique and as worthy of respect as we hope we are. What a wonderful world it would be if we all followed his example!

Wendy Earl, Reader, St Mewan Parish Church