When we think of neighbor, we thank of people who live next door. They are people whom we know and who know us too. We help our neighbors when they are in trouble. We usually do not help them when they are in trouble. This story teaches that everyone we meet is like our neighbor and we must help them.

Way to heaven

One day, a teacher asked Jesus, `what must I do to go to heaven?’

`What does your holy book say about this?’ asked Jesus.

`That we must love God with all over heart and our neighbors as ourselves’, the man replied.

`That’s right’, said Jesus.

The man looked confused and asked, `but who is my neighbor?’

In answer to his question Jesus told this story.

A man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The road was long and lonely. Suddenly some robbers attacked him they beat him up and took all his money and clothes. Then they ran away.

After sometime a priest came by. He found the man groaning and bleeding. The priest did not stop to help him. He crossed over to the other side of the road and went on his way. Then the priest’s helper came by. He too did not stop to help the poor man.

Much later, another man walked by. He was Samaritan. He stopped when he hearted the groans and saw the man covered in blood. He helped the injured man. He poured some oil and wine on his wounds, cleaned and bandaged them and helped the man on to his donkey. He took him to a nearby inn and looked after him all night. The next day he gave some money to the people at the inn and said, `Take care of him. If you need any more money for him, I will pay you on my way back’.

Jesus ended the story by asking, `which of these three men acted like a true neighbor to the man who was robbed and hurt?’

`The Samaritan,’ replied the teacher.

`That’s right’, said Jesus. `So go and do as he did’.

Understand this

The Samaritan helped the injured man because he treated everyone as his neighbor. When we think of everyone around us as our neighbor, we help them when they are in trouble. Helping and doing things for others are important parts of our lives. They make us happy. When we treat others as our neighbors, they also treat us in the same way. It makes the world a better place to live in.