A neighbour typically is one who lives very close to us. However, in today’s parable, Jesus overturns this definition by leading the lawyer to reflect not on the theoretical meaning of ‘who is,’ but at a practical level of ‘who acts.’ Thus, from the question of neighbour as object of love, Jesus makes the neighbour as the subject of love. For Jesus, a neighbour is not measured by proximity to a person, but by his/her need.

Loving our neighbour flows from the love of God and transcends all barriers of culture, code or creed. It is universal and inclusive as exemplified by the care and compassion of the Samaritan who is despised by the Jews. The priest and the Levite may love God in their minds, but they fail to act on it. Love is not a noun but a verb; it is action-oriented. Loving our neighbour means rolling up our sleeves and getting our hands dirtied. It involves sacrifice and selflessness focused on the good of the other. The Samaritan uses all his resources to ensure that not only is the injured man’s wounds attended to, but also that he is properly housed.

Instead of asking ourselves who or what is my neighbour, perhaps we can ask ourselves who, and how we can be neighbours to others? Charity is not about pity. It is about love in action, because we see in every human being the image and likeness of God.