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Selflessness ('non-works')

.
Common parlance interpretation of 'The Good Samaritan' to show how
self creates an unwillingness to act in 'needful' matters:

Luke 10.30

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.

[No interpretation needed]

10.31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he
saw the man, he passed by on the other side.

[The priest appears more concerned with himself (and how he sees
himself within his world), than the injured man who obviously needs aid.
The reason why the priest is mentioned in this context is unimportant to
postmodern audiences, but the fact that he avoids the interaction,
due to a conscious choice, is of value.]

32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by
on the other side.

[the Levite was also more concerned about himself than the injured man.]

33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was;
and when he saw him, he took pity on him.

[The Samaritan, unconcerned about himself, recognized the needs of
the injured man (who could be ANY person, perhaps even an enemy)
and offered aid.]

34 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.

[Interpretation unnecessary]

35 The next day he took out two denarii[e] 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.’

[The Samaritan is neither concerned about how he 'looks' within society,
nor how much giving aid to another person costs him. He is essentially
free from conventional judgments.]

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who
fell into the hands of robbers?”

[Interpretation unnecessary]

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

[Be selfless, so that you may be a neighbor to others.]

Peace,
Matthew

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