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Good morning.Ìý Where I live - in inner-city Glasgow - there’s an eclectic mix of old and new residents. I notice that where the gallus old-timers will greet each other in the street, and would stop and help anyone in need, many of the incomers are determined to avoid eye contact, and look petrified when anyone even says hello. Sadly, I think we are becoming more suspicious of each other.

The story of the Good Samaritan is embedded in our culture as a description of a person who offers assistance. It’s easy to forget how the original parable might have been heard. To Jesus’ audience, the Samaritans were viewed as anything but ‘good’. They were hated, assumed to be enemies, and extremely unlikely to stop and help anyone of a different faith.

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The parable describes a man making the dangerous journey from Jerusalem to Jericho. He is attacked, beaten and left for dead by a gang of robbers and, as he lies by the side of the road, is approached by two people - both of whom are religious and respectable. I can imagine the audience nodding encouragingly, fully expecting them to offer assistance to the victim. At this point, though, there is a twist in the tale. Both the priest and the Levite cross the road to avoid encountering the man, and a third traveller approaches the scene. This is the eponymous hero of the story, and the least likely to assist the dying man. Jesus describes the Samaritan’s compassion towards his enemy, his willingness to help and his generosity towards him. He is truly a good person.

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Jesus told this story to clarify what it means to love your neighbour. Who is the good neighbour here? The one who has compassion, who is willing to help, and who is generous towards the ‘other’.

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Father, May we rediscover the meaning of being a good Samaritan today. Show us how to be compassionate, willing to help and generous to all, and especially those in need who are different from us.Ìý Amen.