Readings: Colossians 3:12-17, Psalm 150 Luke 6:27-38
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” (Luke 6:32-33)
What makes a Christian different from any other human being on earth? Jesus Christ answers this question in today’s Gospel passage, and His answer is simple: LOVE FOR ENEMIES. You are not better than any sinner if you only love those who love you. Your Christian identity demands a higher attitude; that you love your haters as well.
Naturally, life on earth is a survival of the fittest, a game of give-and-take. We give so that we can receive, and when the other party stops giving, we stop giving. Atheists, Buddhists, Muslims, Traditional worshippers, Jews, name it all, practice this unwritten law. The great revolution of Jesus to humanity is the philosophy of “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.” The question is: “How can I love someone who has really hurt me so badly and caused me so much pain?”
Firstly, TRY TO SEE SOMETHING GOOD IN THE PERSON. Deliberately look out for the good sides of that person and try to recall the good things they did for you in the past. (We tend to remember the negative actions of a person more readily than the positive experiences we enjoyed with them.) Try to see the person as someone created in the image and likeness of the same God that you serve. In other words, see the person as a brother/sister in whom God dwells.
Secondly, TAKE THE POSITION OF JESUS ON THE CROSS OF CALVARY, who begged God to forgive his killers because they did not know what they were doing. That is to say, try to make an excuse for your offenders. Tell yourself that they didn’t realise what they were doing. Also, remember that you have unintentionally offended many people in the past. Very often, what makes an offence hurt us deeply is that we tend to think of ourselves as perfect, but this is not true. No one is above mistakes.
Thirdly, some spiritual writers have spoken of the need to OFFER YOUR PAINS TO GOD in exchange for God’s blessings and favours. It is saying to God: “I give you this pain, I give you this hurt, I join it to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, take it and bless me because of this.” Once you say this prayer, you are no longer permitted to retaliate against your offender, just as you cannot drop money in the offertory bag and still go back to collect it. The pain is no longer yours.
In today’s first reading, we hear St. Paul say, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience, forbearing one another and … forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13).
Fourthly, note that St. Paul calls us HOLY people (not that we are sinless, but that we are set-apart, different, special because we are Christians). St. Paul says we should put on COMPASSION, meaning we should “suffer-with” our enemies, don’t assume they are better off than you. No, they are also suffering from guilt, which they might not express to you, having offended you badly. This is why they find it challenging to ask favours from you when they need help. Too often, they give you a distance out of fear.
Fifthly, St. Paul mentions KINDNESS, which means going out of our way to do something good for the very persons who have hurt us. This works like magic. By showing them kindness, we prove that we are greater than they, that we are not equal, that we are higher creatures. The book of Proverbs corroborates this fact when it says: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22). Kindness to our enemies breaks down their defences, it makes them see us in a different light, no longer as enemies but as friends.
Sixthly, St. Paul mentions attitudes we must cultivate, such as HUMILITY, which is the ability to listen to others and see things from their own point of view (not assuming we are better than them). This is closely followed by meekness (being gentle) and patience, refusing to write off a person, hoping that they can change for the better. The opposite of patience is passing judgment, and Jesus in today’s Gospel says: “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37).
Seventhly, Be THANKFUL. Thank God for everything! Gratitude changes our perspective on life; it helps us focus on the good things rather than the bad, and it brings joy to our spirit, regardless of whatever may have happened to us. St. Paul says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15). An ungrateful heart is always judgmental, angry, keeps record of evils, never forgives, expects the worst of people, seeks revenge and is never at peace. Be grateful. You have been hurt, but there is at least one good thing that has come from your experience.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, give us the grace to forgive others just as you forgive our sins. Help us to let go of our pain and cultivate a higher attitude towards loving those who do not love us. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Thursday of week 23 in Ordinary Time Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Colossians 3:12-17, Psalm 150 Luke 6:27-38)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu