Luke sets the familiar parable of the good Samaritan in the context of two commands: Love God and neighbor; and Go, do likewise! Furthermore, it is clear that by casting the parable with Jewish bad guys and a Samaritan good guy, Jesus wants our love to transcend ideological differences and respond to human suffering and injustice wherever it may be found.

Christian spirituality has always been characterized by its loving concern for others, but it has had trouble seeing the political dimensions of its love. In its focus on heaven it has approached the ills of this world with a first aid kit when major surgery was required. It has had difficulty seeing that the wounds needing treatment are inflicted by the political and economic structures of a society. One denomination official put it, "Loc…