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The Parable of the good Samaritan follows Jesus' teaching "Love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself". When a scholar of the law asked who is our neighbor, Jesus tells the Parable, or the story of the Good Samaritan.

A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jerico. He was attacked by robbers who beat him, stripped him and left him half dead. A priest happened down that road, saw him and passed over to the other side of the road to avoid him. A Levite also cam by, saw the man, and also passed by on the opposite side of the road. Then a Samaritan traveler came by. He felt compassion for the man, poured oil and wine on his wounds, cleaning them, and then bandaged them. The Samaritan then put the wounded man on his own animal and took him to an inn and cared for him. The next day, he gave two silver coins to the innkeeper and asked him to take care of the man while he was gone. He said, on his way back by, he would reimburse the innkeeper for any additional money that he spent on caring for the man. Jesus then asked which of the three men acted as neighbor to the victim. The scholar answered, "The man who gave him mercy". Jesus said, "Go and do the same".

One of the requirements of a Christian is to show mercy. The gospels are full of stories of the poor, helpless, imprisoned and sick and their promised help. Some were helped through miracles performed by Jesus and the apostles, and some were deeds by ordinary people.

Salvation is a gift. It is given to those who don't expect to receive anything and who don't believe they are deserving of the gift. God came to rescue the humble, poor, oppressed and lowly people of the land. God's mercy is the source of that salvation.

The story of the Good Samaritan shows how salvation can come to those in need by the mercy given to them by others. The ones who show mercy don't expect to be "paid back". Their lives are not obsessed with acquiring personal wealth and material possessions. They use the wealth that they have to help those who can't help themselves. All disciples of Christ are those who seek to be servants to others.

Reference: The Catholic Study Bible
New American Bible

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