THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY THIRD WEEK OF THE ORDINARY TIME B
THE MOST HOLY NAME OF MARY (OPT. MEM.)
1 Corinthians 8: 1-7.11-13
Luke 6:27-38
THE EXCEPTIONAL LIFE AND EXPECTATION OF A CHRISTIAN
Being a Christian imposes greater responsibility upon us. It is living in the likeness of Christ. In practical terms, Christianity imposes an exceptional code of conduct, that runs counter to human reasoning and human emotions. It is undertaking a lifestyle that sometimes questions ones saneness in the perception of human wisdom.
The gospel of today offers us some of those humanly speaking odd or out-of-style or if your like, God’s wisdom and life style that is at variance with human thinking and lifestyle.
First, Jesus expects an exceptional love to moderate the life of a Christian. A love that admits even the enemy, not just in the sense of forgiving the enemy but also accommodating the enemy to the point that retaliation and all forms of reprisal can never be conceived talk less of acting out.
Love of enemy is one exceptional way of being a faithful and sincere follower of Christ because it marks the person out as a loving person and makes the Christian to totally give everything of his or her life to God and to humanity. Again, the injunction is, “I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Love of enemy, prayer for those who hurt you, doing good to those who abuse you – these are extraordinary and truly exceptional relationships to have with ones enemies. That even when one is bitter, hurt, and angry which are normal human feelings against hurts and against a perceive enemy, a Christian must never return evil, rather he or she is bound to return love, to offer prayers and to show goodness to a perceived enemy.
That is, in the midst of the feeling of pains, hurts and discomforts arising from the anger inflicted to a Christian for no just cause, with attendant side effects of anger, sleeplessness and sour feelings, a Christian must never show, return or act with any iota of hatred or anything to that effect. Rather, love, prayer and goodness must reign and rule his/her hearts and such love must give rise to actions thereafter.
Again, another exceptional gestures is that of giving, showing love, never refusing. In the midst of lack, inadequacy, the need to give to all who ask is urgent and imperative. Jesus tells us again, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.”
Giving goes with a disposition, that God is a giver who does not discriminate. In such wise, shall a Christian act and life. In God, there is no restriction in giving. He gives to the sinner as well as to the righteous, rain falls for the good and the bad alike. God does not punish us with lacks rather he allows graciousness to overflow. Likewise, a Christian must imitate God’s graciousness, and spirit of giving to all in need and particularly to all who ask. And this has a reward attached to it. Jesus says, “… give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.”
The last exceptional mandate of a Christian is to forgive, never to judge, never to condemn. A Christian must act with greater wisdom, humility and love. Forgiveness is divine, and must be meted out to all. And then being judgemental or condemning anyone is not desired in the Christian’s life. Rather, a Christian must be ready to accommodate, to correct and to pray for those who are erring, hoping for conversion and return to God.
Saint Paul in the first reading goes ahead to propose that Christians must never act or live as scandals to fellow Christian, but must show understanding and when necessary abstain in order not to give cause for scandal to a fellow Christian.
The exceptional life of Christian marks him or her out and makes the Christian a faithful follower of Christ who lives in imitation of God who is merciful, just and loving.
God our Father, the Creator of the world, lover of mankind, God our maker, Our human inclinations sometimes pull us down so strongly. Grant us the wisdom of your Spirit, to love you more and love our enemies from our hearts. Especially, when we are hurt, angry and offended, grant us your grace to live, act and show that exceptional spirit of kindness, generosity, forgiveness and mercy. May we rise above human feelings & sentiments and attain divine blessings, graces and wisdom through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
