“And exactly as you would want people to treat you, treat them also the same. And if you love those who love you, what credit is due to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you will do good to those who do good to you, what credit is due to you? Indeed, even sinners behave this way. And if you will loan to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is due to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive the same in return. So truly, love your enemies. Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. And then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked. Therefore, be merciful, just as your Father is also merciful.” (Luke 6:31-36)

Today’s Gospel reading brings us a challenge. We are to live in a way that runs counter to our natural instincts. Jesus Christ calls us to live in a manner that is radically different from what the world expects. We are not just to love those who love us, but to love even our enemies. It’s easy to treat people well when they treat us kindly, but the true test of our faith comes when we are called to extend love and mercy to those who oppose us or seek nothing but their own gain.

Jesus teaches us to step beyond the transactional nature of human relationships. The world teaches us to give in order to receive, to love in order to be loved in return. But Christ tells us that if we live this way, we are no different from the sinners He mentions—people who operate by the same basic rules of self-interest. What sets us apart as Christians is our call to give without expecting anything in return, to love even when love is not reciprocated, and to be kind even when kindness is met with ingratitude. The beauty of this teaching lies in its reflection of God’s own mercy. Christ tells us to be merciful as our Father is merciful. God does not withhold His grace from us because we are unworthy. He showers it upon the ungrateful, the wicked, and the broken, and we are called to do the same. We are called to love as He loves, not for reward or recognition, but because this is what it means to be a son or daughter of the Most High.

The reward we receive from following this path isn’t a material one, nor is it the praise of men. It is the reward of becoming more like Christ—of being transformed into His likeness, sharing in His divine mercy and love. This kind of love frees us from the constraints of selfishness and pride, opening our hearts to the boundless mercy of God. It calls us to live with a generosity of spirit that reflects the heart of the Gospel itself.

In loving our enemies and expecting nothing in return, we mirror the love of Christ, who gave everything for us, even when we could give Him nothing.

Andrew
Sept. 29, 2024
2nd Sunday of Luke