Arcana Coelestia (Elliott) n. 6708

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6708. The fact that the character of such good determines the identity of the neighbour is evident from the Lord's parable in Luke 10:29-37 about the man who fell among robbers. Although the man was half-dead the priest passed by on the other side, and so did the Levite. But the Samaritan bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and he carried him on his own animal, taking him to an inn, where he had him cared for. Since he exercised the good of charity he is called a neighbour. From this parable one may see that those governed by good are 'the neighbour'. Those governed by evil are, it is true, the neighbour too; but they are so in a completely different respect, and therefore benefits should be conferred on them in other ways. But these matters are, in the Lord's Divine mercy, to be discussed later on.


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