The answer is: Good Samaritan

Luke 10:29-37

The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most beloved stories found in the Gospel of Luke. In a world that often sees divisions— whether due to nationality, religion, or social status— Jesus uses this story to break barriers. When the lawyer asks, “Who is my neighbor?” he is looking for a narrow definition, perhaps to justify his less-than-loving interactions with certain people.

The clever twist here is that a Samaritan, someone distinctly viewed as an outsider by Jews, emerges as the heroes. The Suffering victim on the road is ignored by both a priest and a Levite, who likely justified their lack of action based on ceremonial law, but the Samaritan, despite cultural enmity, shows compassionate love. His action was the complete opposite of societal expectation—even the Jewish audience listening to Jesus’s parable might have gasped!

Interestingly, the term “Samaritan” became synonymous with the idea of a selfless caregiver. To this day, hospitals and charitable organizations often use the term “good Samaritan” to describe those who step in to help others without concern for their own interest. It serves as a heartwarming reminder that love and compassion transcend boundaries.

This parable prompts us to reassess the very definition of who we consider part of our community, urging us to extend our sense of neighborliness beyond familiar faces to anyone in need. Love, at its core, knows no borders and honors human dignity above all else.