“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.
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“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, the son of the free woman through promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, ‘Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and shout, you who are not in travail; for the children of the desolate one are many more than the children of her that is married.'” — Galatians 4:22-27, Revised Standard Version

From the Lectionary reading today, St. Paul is using the story of Abraham’s two sons—one from a slave woman, Hagar, and one from a free woman, Sarah—to explain a deeper spiritual truth. He tells us that these two women represent two different covenants, or ways of relating to God. Hagar, the slave woman, stands for the covenant made at Mount Sinai, which is based on the Law. Sarah, the free woman, represents the covenant of God’s promise, which is based on faith and grace.
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The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it has been written by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, I send my angel before your face, who shall prepare your way before you. The voice of one crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight his paths.” John was in the desert, baptizing and preaching a baptism of repentance, as a remission of sins. And there went out to him all the region of Judea and all those of Jerusalem, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist. And he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying: “One stronger than me comes after me. I am not worthy to reach down and loosen the laces of his shoes. I have baptized you with water. Yet truly, he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 16:1-8)

The Gospel reading today introduces us to the beginning of Christ’s ministry and the role of John the Baptist, whose mission was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. In the divine plan, God often uses forerunners to announce His arrival. John’s role as the “voice crying out in the wilderness” shows us the need for repentance and preparation before encountering the Lord. This moment shows the importance of repentance as the foundation of our spiritual lives. John’s baptism of repentance was not an end in itself but a preparation for the greater baptism to come—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. True repentance is essential for receiving the grace of God. Without turning away from sin and humbling ourselves, we are not in a state to receive Christ fully.
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The Lord said to his disciples, “Beware of men who will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be a time for you to bear testimony. Settle it therefore in your minds, not to meditate beforehand how to answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and kinsmen and friends, and some of you they will put to death; you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”

Our Lord is preparing His disciples for the trials and persecution they will face in their mission to spread the Gospel. Christ doesn’t sugarcoat the path of a true disciple. He warns that we will face not only opposition from the world but even from our closest family and friends. The message is clear: following Jesus Christ isn’t about worldly comfort or security. Instead, being a true disciple is about complete fidelity to Him and His Way, no matter the cost. The persecution we experience, or will experience, is a testimony to our faith and commitment to Christ, showing that we don’t belong to this world, but to Him.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus also tells us not to rehearse or plan what we’ll say when questioned. Remember how the false religious leaders tried to trap our Lord in His responses. Christ is telling us to trust completely in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In moments of trial, we shouldn’t rely on our own intellect or eloquence but have faith that the Lord Himself will give us the words we need. We are not left on our own in times of difficulty. Christ promises His divine wisdom, which will confound those who oppose His message. This should give us courage in our daily lives, trusting that God will provide for us in every situation, especially when we stand up for His truth.

I find Christ’s statement that “not a hair of your head will perish” deeply reassuring. We can see this as a declaration of the Lord’s sovereignty and care for His faithful followers. Though we may face suffering, and possibly death, in this life, our ultimate salvation is secure as long as we remain faithful to Christ and His Way. Through endurance, we gain eternal life. The world may take much from us, but it can’t take away the promise of life in Christ. Many faithful from the past embraced persecution as a path to deeper faith and a stronger witness to the world. True endurance comes from our unwavering commitment to Christ, knowing that in the end, He is victorious—and so are we.

— Andrew