The answer is: Who is my neighbour?

Luke 10 v 29

In Luke 10, the interaction between Jesus and the lawyer unfolds as a rich tapestry of questions and ethical teachings. When the lawyer asks, "Who is my neighbor?" it’s more than just an inquiry—it's a deep personal challenge wrapped in cultural boundaries. The conversation revolves around the concept of love and community, as the lawyer already had the knowledge of the law to love God and others.

Interestingly, the term "neighbor" in the original Greek has echoes in ancient Hebrew texts—it broadens beyond physical proximity to include the spirit of brotherhood, compassion, and shared humanity. It signifies that anyone capable of love can potentially be a neighbor, no matter their background or beliefs. The parable of the Good Samaritan brilliantly illustrates this by highlighting how compassion isn’t dictated by social norms or ethnicity.

Fun fact: Samaritans and Jews had a fraught relationship that stretched over centuries, marked by conflict and misunderstanding. By choosing a Samaritan as the hero of the story, Jesus flips social conventions on their head, teaching that true adherence to love and kindness transcends cultural divides.

This parable invites listeners entertainingly to reconsider their own "neighbors." Thus, the idea of neighbors can even be extended today, pushing us to realize that being a good neighbor often requires a conscious effort at empathy and love to flourish amid diversity. One can reflect: Who in their life might be perceived as less likely but still deserving of kindness?