Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
I am not sure that you can be merciful or forgive others when you are feeling low, disempowered, and defeated. Merci comes from a place of strength. This reading reminded me of Maximillian Kolbe
ReplyDelete"In 1941, he was arrested and sent to Auschwitz, where in terrible circumstances he continued to work as a priest and offer solace to fellow inmates. When the Nazi guards selected 10 people to be starved to death in punishment, Kolbe volunteered to die in place of a stranger. He was later canonised as a martyr." (https://www.stmaximiliankolbechurch.com/about-us/biography-of-saint-maximilian#:~:text=In%201941%2C%20he%20was%20arrested,later%20canonised%20as%20a%20martyr.)
I fully get the idea of giving and sacrificing for people you love - wife, children, grandchildren… Being as giving to a stranger could only come from a place of great strength and gratefulness. Faith and a belief in salvation is a viable explanation for this sort of behaviour. But I think so is gratitude. I think a person can feel so blessed that they are prepared to place their needs aside for a stranger. The converse is also true. If you are feeling the victim, you are not likely to be giving, forgiving or merciful.
Your insightful response to Luke 6:27-38 delves into the complexities of human nature and the challenges of extending mercy, forgiveness, and love beyond our immediate circle. You rightly point out that the ability to embody these virtues often requires a deep wellspring of strength, gratitude, and faith.
ReplyDeleteThe example of Saint Maximilian Kolbe serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of love and compassion, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. His willingness to sacrifice his own life for a stranger epitomizes the essence of Christ's teachings, demonstrating that love knows no bounds and that true strength lies in selflessness and empathy.
Your observation that gratitude plays a significant role in fostering generosity and compassion resonates deeply. When we recognize the blessings we have received, we are more inclined to extend kindness and support to others, recognizing that we are part of a larger interconnected humanity.
Conversely, as you mentioned, when we feel disempowered, defeated, or self-absorbed, it becomes more challenging to extend mercy and forgiveness. Our own struggles and insecurities can cloud our judgment and limit our capacity for compassion.
The notion that cultivating a "victim mentality" hinders our ability to give, forgive, and be merciful is also profound. When we perceive ourselves as victims, we may become trapped in a cycle of resentment, self-pity, and anger, making it difficult to empathize with others and extend kindness.
In essence, your response to Luke 6:27-38 highlights the interplay between our inner state and our capacity for love and compassion. When we nurture gratitude, cultivate resilience, and release ourselves from the shackles of victimhood, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities, where love, forgiveness, and mercy can flourish.