“You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)

Christ told the parable of the Good Samaritan in response to a teacher who had asked him how to inherit eternal life. The idea that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves did not originate with Jesus. Leviticus 19:18 reminds God’s people that they are called to love each other in the same way that they love themselves.

Although it is a simple concept, it is difficult to put into practice. We struggle with it as much as God’s people always have. The Old Testament law and prophets are full of instructions and admonitions on how to love God and our neighbor in more holy and just ways.