In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the story of a traveler beaten and left for dead on the side of the road.

Two respected men pass by without stopping. Finally, a Samaritan — a foreigner, an outsider — sees the man’s suffering, is moved with compassion, and kneels beside him. He tends the man’s wounds, shelters him, and ensures his recovery.

When Jesus asks, “Who was his neighbor?” the answer is clear: the one who showed mercy.

That ancient story is playing out again on the streets of Wheeling and in communities across West Virginia. Once again, people who have lost almost everything — home, work, family, stability — are being told to move along. Once again, those of us who pass by must decide what kind of neighbors we will be.

The city of Wheeling recently announced plans to close th

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