All of this quarter's Gospel readings are from Luke - a fact that makes focusing on any of the other weekly texts quite difficult, for Luke is one of history's most masterful storytellers. Thoroughly steeped in Jewish Scripture, Luke's descriptions are so vital, his characters so pungent, his scenes so artfully set, that our whole being is drawn into the flair and fascination of these stories. It is no surprise that Luke's Gospel is most commonly read at Christmas, or that our most beloved parables are found in his writings.

The "Good Samaritan" illustration is the continuation of Jesus' discussion with the lawyer about the requirements for inheriting eternal life. Matthew (22:34-40) and Mark (12:28-34) each record their own versions of this dialogue, but neither add the capstone of the Go…