Today’s Gospel brings up the central point that characterises the life of a Christian: love for enemies, forgiveness and mercy. We speak of the Ten Commandments as the basic rules of our faith. However, here, Jesus gives a new set of commandments: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (vv. 27-38). Moreover, this is not optional, and it is a command.
Pope Francis explains the passage: Jesus is aware that loving enemies is beyond our natural behaviour, but this is why God became man: not to leave us in our instinctive behaviours and reactions, but to transform us into men and women capable of a greater love. It is because Jesus loves us and with the help of the Spirit of Jesus that we can love even those who do not love us, even those who do us harm.
The logic of love, which culminates in the Cross of Christ, is a Christian’s badge. However, how can humans overcome the instinct and law of retaliation? Jesus provides the answer: “Be merciful, even as your Heavenly Father is merciful” (v.36). Only then do we discover that we are capable of tenderness and goodness. Furthermore, Jesus assures us that our actions will be greatly rewarded when we love those who do us harm. He tells us: “forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you” (vv. 37-38). God gives us everything beautiful if we are generous and merciful. We must forgive because God has forgiven us and always forgives us.
If we do not learn to forgive one another, we will always be at war. Pope Francis teaches us that if you do not know how to forgive, you are not a Christian because you do not do as the Lord did. Each day, when we pray the Our Father, we say: “forgive us, as we forgive.” This is the right path: Forgive one another! As the Lord has forgiven you, so should you do at home, in your neighbourhood, at work… Bear with each other without resorting to whispering or complaining: In short, it takes Christian patience.
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”. It is an invitation to understand others, not to condemn them. The pope has some important message for his priests as he says, “If you are a priest and do not feel you are merciful, tell your bishop so you can be given administrative work, but do not go down to the confessional, please! Because a priest who is not merciful does so much harm in the confessional. Perhaps one could justify it, saying: “No, father, I am merciful, but I am a little upset…”. Before entering the confessional, go to the doctor who can give a pill for your nerves! But be merciful!
For your reflection:
The Christian way is not arrogance, it is not condemnation, it is not speaking ill of others. The Christian way is compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience. It is the way of Jesus.
Father Josekutty
Mathew CMF
