Who Is My Neighbour?

Dear brethren,

Today's readings:

Deuteronomy 19-22; Psalm 6; Luke 10

Luk 10:36 — Luk 10:37 (KJV)
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?
And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Only Luke records this parable of the good Samaritan that have become so well known, that it made its way into the common English language.
Obviously the more well known part has its application but the context was really Jesus trying to address the heart issue of the lawyer (v. 25, 29).
So who is our neighbour? If we were to take the parable just by itself, it would seem as if only those who does good to us or shows mercy to others! But how can that be when Jesus clearly taught about impartiality and rising above the "good" of the world by loving our enemies? (c.f. Mat 5:43-48; Luk 6:27-36)
The key lies in the fact that it was the Samaritan, rather than the priest and Levite who had showed mercy.
In the eyes of the Jews, it was inconceivable that a Samaritan would render help to a Jew! (it's so telling that the lawyer would not even simply say "the Samaritan" but go the long winded and indirect way of say "he that showed mercy on him"!) And yet he did and even went a second mile.
Thus, on the very contrary to the thinking of a neighbour being one that did good to us or one who is related or useful to us (as probably what the lawyer was thinking), the true neighbour is anyone and everyone, yes even those who are perceived as "enemies".

And thanks be to God who through Christ had exemplified this impartial love for us (Gal 3:28).
Let us do likewise and love our neighbour as ourselves and render our help to all around us (c.f. Gal 6:10) and especially where the preaching of the gospel is concerned.