Letter to the editor: Parable of the Good Samaritan for 2023
There was a cable news anchor who obtained an exclusive interview with Jesus Christ. Wanting to boost his station’s ratings, he asked Jesus, “Teacher, what is the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied, “You shall 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.”
Thinking he could further boost his ratings by challenging his guest, the host pressed, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to carjackers as he traveled the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The thieves ran the man’s car off the road, shot him, took his wallet and drove off with his car, leaving him for dead.
“A local politician happened to be traveling the same road, but when she saw the victim, she passed by on the opposite side. Likewise, a local pastor came to the place, and when he saw the victim, he too passed by on the opposite side.
“A few minutes later, a transgender individual came by and was moved with compassion. The transgender individual stopped and administered first aid, then took the man to a local hospital emergency room, instructing the staff to ‘Take care of him. If his insurance does not cover his injuries, I shall pay you in full, with my credit card.’ ”
“Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the carjackers’ victim?”
The talk show host answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.”
Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Keith Kondrich
Swisshelm Park
The writer is a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.
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