The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most important and moving stories in the Gospel of Luke, so much so, that Jesus proposes this parable as a model of life for all who want to enter the Kingdom of Heaven: "Jesus told him, ´Go and do likewise.´" Luke 10:37. Like the Levite and the Samaritan, we all have to face an inner spiritual war between mercy and sin Jesus teaches us.
And the life of the apostle Paul is not indifferent to this spiritual principle. Paul in the letter to Philemon shows us how he himself became the Good Samaritan. Philemon was a pagan converted to the Christian faith by Paul, and Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who escaped and sought refuge in Rome with Paul. Onesimus converted to the Christian faith and he was sent back to Philemon with a short letter from Paul.
The apostle Paul in the letter explains to us that the love of our Lord Jesus makes no difference between men and that we are all children of God, for Jesus there is no difference between being a free man or being a slave. Reborn in the spirit through baptism, Onesimus was a new person for Paul, a member of the family of God: "That I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains" Philemon 1:10.
And even more, when the apostles introduced to Jesus some children, Jesus said that what we do to the most helpless in society we are also doing the same thing to him, that is why in other words Paul repeats the same teaching, what Philemon do with Onesimus, he is also doing that to Paul, and therefore to Jesus, the golden rule is a law of reciprocity:
"So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self" Philemon 1:17-20.
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