The Good Samaritan

One of the most important parables, the Good Samaritan teaches us the works of mercy. Let's think over these questions, among the many we could possibly could ask:

1. St. Paul in Galatians 5 says that our actions are not so important, "For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything..." So why does the gospel here mention strength, i.e., the ability of our bodies to exert our will by doing?
2. A man's strength depends on his heart, so why does Luke add the words strength and soul to the manner by which we are to love God? Isn't loving from the heart sufficient?
3. What was important about the city of Jericho?
4. What business does a priest ordinarily have in Jericho? What business does a Levite ordinarily have in Jericho?
5. This mysterious neighbor, the Samaritan, who does he represent?
6. The scribe is a man dedicated to the Torah, and in the parable, the priest and the Levite are dedicated to the Torah. Does the scribe agree or disagree with Jesus?
7. Does this parable of Jesus expand the scribe's understanding of the Torah and of what God's will is?
8. Martha bosses Mary around the way a general bosses a foot soldier around, so is the active life superior to the contemplative life?

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