Jesus Asks: What is Written in the Law?
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives us an oral exam. Specifically, Jesus asks, “ What is written in the law? How do you read it?” (Luke 10:26) This is in response to a man asking Jesus what is necessary to gain entry to heaven. The man responds correctly, by noting that he is to love God with his whole heart, and to love his neighbor as himself. Yet, the man asks for clarification on the definition of “neighbor.” Jesus responds with the parable about the Good Samaritan. In this story Jesus comments on two people who avoid helping an injured man on the side of the road, as they do not want to violate Jewish law, by touching his blood, for that would make them unclean. Finally, the Samaritan offers compassion and assistance to the injured man. Jesus then asks, Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robber’s victim ? (Luke 10: 36) This is another instance where Jesus reinforces the fact that man was not created to serve the law. Rather, the law was created to serv...