Thank you, Ray. My favorite parable, as well it should be, is the Prodigal Son and next the Good Samaritan, although as you pointed out, Jesus never said "good"--and that got me thinking more on this story. 
As I alluded to in my other comments, what would be scandalous had this story not been in the Gospels but invented one Sunday by a preacher is the "hippie" answer to the question, "How do we gain eternal life?": the simple love of neighbor. I have witnessed many times the attempted uncomplicated message of love bring instant resistance from learned Christians who have diligently studied scripture. And try making the priest a Baptist and the Levitt a Catholic (and switch up for the audience). A lot of fun can be had. 
The question I need to ask myself is this: who is my half-bred Samaritan?
God bless, Ray, and many thanks.