Participating in God's Mercy and Compassion

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C: February 20, 2022

Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7–9, 12–13, 22–23; Psalm 103:1–13; 1 Corinthians 15:45–49; Luke 6:27–38

Jesus preaches to the crowd

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Often we are confused to take the right decisions. When we see various options in front of us, it's difficult to make the right choice. However, there is always a possibility to take the right, moral and ethical decision provided we make use of simple parameters or guidelines. For a Christian, the values of Christ become guiding principles in one's search for meaning and in making the right choices. It is more than the golden rule: ‘Treat others as you would like them to treat you.’ Jesus offers a radical invitation to live in a different way. The liturgical readings of this Sunday help us in this regard. Jesus' teaching are not merely a series of instructions but are also a way to act in various situations. So that people change their perspectives. In other words, to see from the perspectives of Jesus. His preaching asks us to extend our love to all; to love even our enemies, to pray for those who have hurt us and to give without any hope of receiving something in return. In place of judgment, hatred and violence, loving, giving and praying become the responses that we are invited to offer.

1. A conscious effort to weaken the powers of the enemy through love

The Gospel reading from St Luke (6:27–38) centred around how to live in this complicated world amicably and as a beloved son or daughter of God. In spite of evil and wickedness which surrounds us like those enemies, those who curse you, mistreat you, strike you, overpowers you, the teachings of Jesus are opposite to what we usually react to live. The treatment that Jesus asks his disciples or followers to give to those who are against them is such that those who are opposing must feel inner conversion by seeing our deeds. Strangely but truly, we are invited to abandon a worldview that many would consider practical and reasonable, and instead, one that society would consider radically impractical and foolish. For example, giving credit without looking for a return, allowing someone to hit again, stop judging, and so forth.

The Jews disliked and hated the Romans because they oppressed them. Romans were colonizers and foreigners who enslaved the Jews. But Jesus tells people to love these enemies. Probably, many must have left Jesus after hearing these words. In fact, Jesus wasn't talking about having affection for enemies. He was talking about the act of the Will. It's tough to act when we have to make a conscious effort to follow an act of love to which we are not usually accustomed to do. Loving our enemies means acting in their best interests. We can pray for them, and we can think of ways to help them. Jesus seems to be trying to tell us that if we do what our enemies to us then it is going to be an endless cycle of violence. Someone has to stop in order to give space for peace. In other words, freedom is not trying to overpower, swindle the enemy who is before me but to weaken the ferocity and violence that is harbouring in that person. That is possible only through love.

2. Giving out in full measure and the return will be the same

The words of Jesus are quite tough to follow. For Jesus, love means action. It is not just feeling good or keeping silent when others do bad things to you.  Jesus asks in fact, to be active, to take peace initiatives in meeting the specific needs. Certainly, this is easy to do with those people who love us, people whom we trust. Here love means doing this even to those who dislike us or plan to hurt us. Jesus was kind to those Romans who sought healing like that Centurian's servant (Luke 7:1-10) or servant of the High priest whose ear was cut off by Peter (Luke 22:51). Jesus gives a comforting ear to Nicodemus the Pharisee, the member of the Jewish ruling council (John 3:1-21). He also heals a Samaritan from his skin disease (Luke 17:11-19). Samaritans were considered arch-enemies of Jews. 

What striking here is this: A forgiving spirit demonstrates that a person has received God's forgiveness. All the more, forgiveness must be total. Therefore, Jesus uses the picture of measuring grain in a basket to the full amount. If we are critical rather than compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others, generously, graciously, and compassionately, however, their qualities will come back to us in full measure. We are to love others and not judge them. By doing so, God would be accompanying us. Michelangelo Buonarotti said, “Do not fret, for God did not create us to abandon us.” In our struggles especially in our being as humans, God's merciful eyes are always upon us. For God's love is unconditional and impartial.

3. Going beyond the ordinariness to reach the extraordinary 

Even though the Mosaic law allowed tit for tat, retaliation or revenge, the young David as we see in the book of Samuel (1 Samuel 26) shows his heroism by not harming his opponent and deadly enemy King Saul. The reason is David recognizes Saul as anointed by God. Thus mercy wins over the place of the death of Saul.  The new law that Jesus gives us of that of being merciful to others who harm us, hate us, mistreat us, and make our life miserable to us thus being generous gentle to those who might not be able to pay us back in good measure. Moreover, prayer is the best weapon to defeat the enemy of human nature,  evil and wickedness. We see here Jesus' accent that we are all children of God (Luke 6:35; 1:35). Therefore, Jesus invites us to "be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (Luke 6:36). As sons and daughters of our God, we have a bigger role to play in our dealings and everyday affairs of life. The Seventh Earl of Shaftesbury (1801-1885) would say “By everything true, everything holy, you are your brother's keeper.” Saul failed in this role because his pride and jealousy overtook him. That was his crime.

God follows us. Therefore, he created us in his own image to be partakers of his divine nature. On the other hand,  God became like us as St Paul tells us indicating how the First Adam was replaced by the last Adam the life-giving spirit. And this life-giving spirit is walking with us (1 Corinthians 15:45–49). Hence, St Paul courageously says when he felt defeated: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8–9). These beautiful words must encourage us when we are lost. A good way to encourage ourselves is to accept the situation and see with a merciful perspective. Carl Jung says: “Acceptance of oneself is …the acid test of one’s whole outlook on life.” We cannot run away from ourselves. Let the words of the Apostle to the Gentiles may ring aloud in our ears: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Rom 12:2).

Questions for reflections

1. How can we respond to Jesus' call of loving, giving and praying in place of judgment, hatred and violence?
2. How is Jesus challenging me in today's egoistic, hedonistic/charvaka, self-fulfilling, self-glorifying world?
3. What is Jesus saying to me personally as I continue to encounter very challenging but engaging and energizing words of Jesus?

Prayer: 

Loving God, you are kind and merciful.  Lead us away from the temptations to judge and condemn so that we, too, may be kind, merciful and forgiving.  Transform us so that we love as Christ loves. O Lord, you are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. You pardon all my iniquities, redeem my life from destruction, crowns me with kindness and compassion.  I cry aloud to you, and you answer me from your holy hill. I lie down and sleep, and I wake again, for you have sustained me. I will not fear the men of this world, even if thousands set themselves against me.

Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For salvation belongs to you alone. May your blessing be ever on your people. God of wisdom,   you gave us your Son to show us how to love. Help us to listen deeply to him and learn how to choose his way of forgiveness and generosity. We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen. 

- Fr Olvin Veigas, SJ

Febraury 18, 2022