In the Old Testament, one’s neighbor would normally refer to someone who is part of the people of Israel, one’s fellow Israelite or by extension to a sojourner or sojourners who have come to dwell in Israel or share Israel’s way of life or are favorable to the people of Israel. In the New Testament and in particular, today’s Gospel, this connotation carries the same meaning. However, Jesus extends this to every person without limit. To love your neighbor as yourself is also to make their well-being your own. To love God is to have a profound reverence and affection for Him, to give ourselves over to Him and to please Him above all else. True love for God must flow into concrete actions for others. If our devotion to God bears no concrete fruit in our love for our neighbor, seeking their well-being, then we’re no better than the scribes and the Pharisees. Let us then put into practice what Jesus Himself has taught us.