To dismiss the Gospel for the seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time is the height of arrogance. If we do that, we say that we know better than God. We may not consciously ignore this message because we think we’re better than God. Maybe it’s because we’re afraid of what would happen if we love our enemies or were good to those who hate us, as Jesus says in the passage from Luke. Perhaps we don’t believe that this generous measure that God is asking us to give others will be measured back to us. Maybe we’re so embedded in our habits of hatred, prejudice and hard-heartedness that we don’t even know that there is another possibility. Maybe we’re afraid that the same thing that happened to Jesus would happen to us — and I’m not talking about the resurrection. If you are still reading this, maybe you’re willing to go a little bit deeper with me on what it is that God is asking us to do.
Most of the words and deeds we’re very proud of are dismissed in this Gospel reading. Most of our good works and good deeds are done toward those who love us and agree with us. We often exact our charity toward others, by how much we think they deserve it and not because of a call from God to empty ourselves for the sake of all others.
This Gospel assumes that we are part of a community that supports and encourages one another. As we all know, many of our communities, whether they be churches or countries or cities or families, are badly broken. Because of the brokenness, we can become cynical about the possibility of believing God’s Word. But how will that be remedied if we wait for perfection or someone else to make the first move? Jesus knew that His communities were severely broken and knew that His task was to be an example of charity and love toward all, not just some.
Brokenness within our communities can cause deep insecurity and tempt us to move in the direction of seeking security in things that don’t last. Our security will never come from proving ourselves right and someone else wrong. Our security will never come from the amount of power we accumulate or the level of success that we attain. Our security will never come from our possessions or even our popularity. Some of us even think that we can find security in an individual relationship with God without connecting with others in love and trust.
On this earth, we are commanded by Jesus to rely on God’s unconditional love and learn deep humility toward our enemies and for those who hate us. None of us likes to be treated with hatred, cursed or mistreated. And yet, when we’re not careful we do the same thing to others that we do not want to have done to us.
At the height of competition and hatred between David and Saul, David had the chance to kill Saul. Instead, he chooses to spare his life and lets Saul know that it was he who was gracious toward him. I know that most of us don’t have moments of actually wanting to kill someone, but I believe that most of us have extreme anger within us. We may mask it or deny it, but it is there. God invites us to be honest with ourselves and convert our hearts and lives to His wisdom and not be tempted to stay with our limited wisdom.
We are to follow Jesus; He doesn’t follow us. Let’s open ourselves to the gift of humility that will allow us to change our lives.
Father Wester is pastor of All Saints Parish in St. Peters.