Who is my neighbor?

"But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, 'And who is my neighbor?'"
Luke 10:29

Pray-As-You-Go invited us to sit and think about who we identify with in the story of the Good Samaritan. That was easy for me...I'm the guy asking the question. First, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (v. 25) and then, pushing Jesus for more clarity of the requirements, "Who is my neighbor, exactly? Who do I have to be nice to, to stay in the good? What are the boundaries of what I have to do? Where is the line?" I want clear-cut instructions!  And, just like to the guy who asked in the Gospel, Jesus gives me the answer to a different question.  Jesus doesn't tell me who the person I have to be nice to is. Jesus gives me the definition of who I should be--the kind and merciful person who scoops the injured guy off the highway and takes care of him.  That's not what I asked, Jesus, but thanks, anyway. I think. But not really. It's too hard to be that guy who helps the victim of robbers. I wouldn't know what to do (how does he?) I don't have two silver coins to give to the innkeeper either. I'm too comfortable in my little cocoon to reach out that way, what's the least amount I can do and still inherit eternal life? Wow, I really don't like being the guy asking the questions, but here I am. On a Monday, asking "Who is my neighbor?"  Love, heidi