‘I am who I am’ (Exodus 3:14), the Lord replied when Moses asked his name. And then I thought of my usual response when people ask who I am. I might tell them my name or that I’m an artist or a writer, but none of these labels would matter if I were not truly who I say I am. Saying I’m a teacher would be meaningless if I don’t truly teach and pass on knowledge.

In the same way, saying that I am a Christian won’t matter if I don’t display Christlike behaviour or show love to my neighbours. In today’s reading, the priest and the Levite were men of God, but the Samaritan – viewed as an outcast and idol worshipper showed more compassion to the wounded stranger than they did. In this, the Samaritan showed that he wasn’t his stereotype or title but

simply a man capable of showing compassion and love to a total stranger, to his neighbour. Jesus’ answer to the lawyer showed us that our titles and labels do not mat- ter much. In the end it is not about saying who we are Levite, priest, Samaritan, friend, mother or writer. What matters is showing who we really are children of God, striving to be conformed to the image of our Creator.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to love you with all our heart and soul and strength and mind, and to love our fellow human

beings as ourselves. Amen