SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR - 1
Cycle “C” Luke 6, 27 – 38
The test of discipleship is love of enemies, which makes sense
by no earthly standards and must be based on faith. To be like the Father is to
be compassionate, which mean not to judge or condemn. The Golden Rule is to
treat others, as you would like to be treated by them. But George Bernard Shaw,
that Irish satirist, once said, “Don’t do to others what you would like done to
you. Their tastes may be different.” There may be some truth in that, since what
you might think an act of charity may be construed suspiciously. One example.
Immediately after the earthquake in Latur, a whole village of stricken
survivors ran in terror from the approaching Christian relief workers who they
thought would make them Christians. But personal feelings and prejudice aside,
there is a basic need in all of us to be treated with considerateness and
understanding. Cruelty in thought, word and action is what we must avoid in all
circumstances. That is the absolute minimum. But we Christians are called to do
much more than that. We should all consider very seriously the advice of Ralph
Waldo Emerson: “You can never do a kindness too soon, for you never know how
soon it will be too late.” After all, as another Christian writer has pointed
out, love is the only thing we Christians are supposed to be good at; good at
in all situations.
Thing of the rose. Irrespective of whether or not people stop
to breathe in its fragrance, it continues to spread it. Or think of a large
shady tree. It offers its cooling shade to all who stand in its shadow or
ignore it, even to the woodcutter who cuts it down. You know what a difference
parking your car in the shade of a tree makes. Kind and forgiving people spread
the fragrance and comfort of Jesus around them. Their conduct is inspired by
Christ.
A spiritual author suggests two ways we can resemble those
people in our conduct. See which one may work for you. Get on your knees and
pray for the person who has wronged you. It is difficult to be unforgiving to
another if you are genuinely praying for him or her. Consider establishing some
contact with your antagonist. Perhaps a note, a phone call, a smile, a verbal
greeting, or even a flower may turn the situation around. Otherwise, the person
who is unforgiving is allowing a slow viscous stream of acid to burn through
the brain, eating him away from within. To be wronged is nothing unless you
continue to remember it. What is done is done. Holding on to grievances is a
decision to suffer. Only a foolish person makes such a decision. It has been
proved that forgiving is the first step to physical healing. Jesus says in
today’s Gospel, “Be as compassionate as your Father.” Ask yourself, “What is God for?” The answer
is: “God is for giving.”
Perhaps in the liturgy we should say once more with feeling,
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Jesus
Christ never meant those words to be spoken as glibly or lightly as we usually
do speak them. The Jesus command rests on the ideal of the extra mile. And
there is always plenty of room on that road.
Let me end with a story. During the Revolutionary War in
America, a gentleman named Peter Miller was pastor of a small church in
Pennsylvania. Living near his church was a fellow who seemed to get his kicks
out of abusing the Rev. Miller and his congregation. Eventually the nasty
fellow was arrested for treason by George Washington’s forces. He was tried,
found guilty and condemned to death on the gallows. On hearing the verdict,
Pastor Miller immediately journeyed to General Washington to plead for pardon
for the condemned man. Washington was not impressed. “Merely because he is your
friend,” said Washington, “I can’t let him off.” Miller replied, “Quite the contrary!
If anything, he is my enemy.” Washington was deeply moved. “Since you have
walked sixty miles to plead for the life of an enemy, then I must indeed pardon
the prisoner. Here are the papers.” Without delay, Rev. Miller raced to the
place of execution. As he arrived the spy was being brought to the scaffold.
Seeing the pastor, he shouted derisively, “Here comes the pastor to gloat over
my hanging,” Miller replied, “Nothing of the sort! I bring you your pardon.”
Wasn’t Abraham Lincoln right when he said, “Don’t we destroy our enemies by
making them our friends?”
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PRAYER: By John Baillie (1886-1960. + 74 years)
My failure to be true even to my own accepted standards:
My self-deception in face of temptation;
My choosing of the worse when I know the better;
O Lord, forgive.
My failure to apply myself the standards of conduct I demand
of others;
My blindness to the suffering of others and my slowness to be
taught by my own;
My complacence towards wrongs that do not touch my own case
And my ever-sensitiveness to those that do;
My slowness to see the good in my fellows and to see the evil
in myself;
My hardness of heart towards my neighbours’ faults
And my readiness to
make allowance for my own.
O Lord, forgive.
St. Thomas’ Church,
Calcutta, Sunday 18th.
February 200/2019
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