PASSAGE: Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
REFLECTION:
During the height of the pandemic, our church pastor, Kuya Les, and I were given a rare opportunity to go out during the lockdown and deliver food packs to church members in need. On one of our delivery runs, we decided to stop by a McDonald’s drive-thru for lunch. As we were about to pay, Kuya Les noticed a police car behind us in line.
Without hesitation, he told the cashier he’d like to pay not only for our meal but also for whatever the police officers behind us had ordered. We drove forward to wait for our food, and a few minutes later, one of the policemen stepped out of their vehicle and approached our window. I thought for a moment we were about to get scolded or arrested for some reason.
But when the window rolled down, the officer simply said, “Thank you.” Kuya Les smiled and replied, “Just paying it forward.”
That simple phrase has stuck with me ever since.
Later, I learned that “pay it forward” was more than just a kind gesture; it was a whole movement inspired by Catherine Ryan Hyde’s 1999 novel (and later a film). The idea was simple: if someone does a kind act for you, don’t pay them back—pay it forward to three other people. A ripple of kindness.
And that’s what Jesus was talking about when He said, “Just as I have done, you should do likewise.” He was showing us what it means to love our neighbor.
But who is our neighbor?
It’s not just the person who lives next door. It’s the coworker who looks tired and unnoticed. The janitor who greets you every morning. The stranger you pass on the street. The tricycle driver. The teacher. The traffic enforcer. The classmate who eats lunch alone.
Every day, we’re surrounded by opportunities to be a neighbor, especially in someone’s time of need.
In Luke 10:25–37, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. A Jewish man was left beaten on the road. Two religious men—who you'd expect to help—passed him by. But a Samaritan, someone from a group that the Jews despised, stopped and cared for him.
From that story, I learned three simple but powerful ways we can love our neighbors:
1. Time
The priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan all had things to do, but only the Samaritan was willing to pause. Kindness takes time. And in a world where we’re all “too busy,” giving someone your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can offer.
2. Talent
The Samaritan didn’t just stop; he used what he knew and what he had learned to treat the man's wounds. God has given each of us skills. Maybe you’re a good cook, a great listener, or skilled in a profession. Have you ever considered using your talent to serve someone who could never repay you?
3. Treasure
The Samaritan paid for the man’s stay and promised to cover any extra expenses. He gave from his own resources to ensure the man could fully recover. We may think our resources are small, but even a little can mean everything to someone in need.
Whenever we show kindness—whether with our time, talent, or treasure—we reflect the love that God first showed us. Let’s not wait for grand moments. Let’s choose to be neighbors today.
Kindness is contagious. And love, when passed forward, always multiplies.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what true love looks like. Help us to be like the good Samaritan—willing to give our time, use our talents, and share our treasures for the sake of others. Open our eyes to the needs around us, and give us hearts that are quick to respond with kindness. May every act of love we show point others back to You. Amen.
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