2025 2 23 – Homily wk 7 OT Sun – yr C -1 Sam 26 2-23 _ Ps 103 _ Lk 6 27-38 Compassion – Mercy – do not judge
Focus — Compassion and Mercy
In our gospel reading Jesus “Christ commands: “love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
SLIDE:
Love your enemies
“our first reaction due to original sin is (turn away in disgust) or like David’s assistant in our first reading, we want “to nail (our enemy) to the ground.”
“How is it possible to take seriously what Jesus tells us?
Humanely it is not possible to love our enemies. But with God’s help, we can do it. God never ask us to do something that can’t be done with his help.
Because he only commands what he makes possible. Jesus through the Holy Spirit gives us his own love that allows us to reach beyond our passions, impulses, defects and fatalism.”
(Magnificat magazine February 23 , 2025 pp 330-331)
And in the psalm today, it says that the Lord is slow to anger and abounding in kindness… full of compassion.
In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be merciful just as God is merciful.
Let’s listen to Jesus’ words:
“Jesus said to his disciples
I say love your enemies
do good to those who hate you
bless those who curse you
pray for those who mistreat you…
Be merciful as God is merciful”
SLIDE
Be merciful as
God is merciful
What Jesus is telling us to do is contrary to what the world and all our instincts tell us to do
(pause)
To be clear, loving your enemies doesn’t mean you like someone.
So what is Jesus’ love?
SLIDE
Jesus love is:
- A choice not a feeling
- Other centered
- An action
- Laying down our will for the other
- Jesus’ love is a choice not a feeling. You may never feel love your enemy, you have to choose to.
- Jesus’ love is other centered. Love is not about me. Jesus’ love is all about the other person.
- Jesus’ love is action Love is what we do, not just talk.
- Finally, Jesus’ love costs. Love is a sacrifice because love is a choice for the other. Laying down our will for the other.
That’s why the cross is the ultimate sign of love. Laying down not just our will but our life for the other.
And if this isn’t enough, Jesus goes on to say
- Do Not Judge others
Jesus gives some pretty challenging directives. So let me pose some questions to all of us, myself included that we can reflect on this week.
Do you have someone in your life you would consider an enemy? Or is there anyone you know of who hates you? How do you feel about them? Could you do something nice for them? What about love them?
Is there anyone who talks poorly to you or about you? Who in your life mistreats you or attacks you? Are you able to wish them the best or pray for them? What about when they are aggressive toward you, do you match their immaturity with your own or can you walk away?
Has someone stolen something from you or taken something unfairly? Do you have anyone in your life who is always asking you for something or constantly borrowing from you? What would it take for you to not only let go of whatever was taken, but offer them something more? How often do you give someone what they ask for without stipulation?
Then there’s forgiveness and mercy. Are you quick to forgive? Or do you “bury the hatchet but leave the handle sticking out?” — reserving your right to be resentful? Are you quick to be understanding and give someone a little grace when they don’t “deserve” it?
And when it comes to judgement and condemnation… Who in your life do you assume the worst of? Are you quick to form opinions about others that are not fair? Do you tend to think you know what they are thinking?
Personal story
I am probably like most people in this church that have had people not be nice to me, people that I dislike. Here is what I have found works in my own life to love my enemies. I need some time and space it might be a day or two it might be a year or two. Then I just need to make a choice to pray for the other person and over time I am at peace.
All this is very very challenging at times but that’s what it means to be Gospel people. We will always be asked to respond contrary to what the world would have us do because we are asked to reflect the love of God to others, and the love of God IS compassionate and merciful to all even our enemies. This is the Christian walk.
God bless.
This message was prepared by Fr. Peter Infanger and Tammy Winn Bocher
