He gives power and grace to those who believe in and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good.

Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Colossians 3:12-17

Psalm 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6

L uke 6:27-38 "But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (29) To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. (30) Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. (31) And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. (32) "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (33) And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (34) And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. (35) 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. (36) Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. (37) "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; (38) give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

Meditation by Don Schwager

W hat makes Christians different and what makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace – treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated – with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit from doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing in return.

Augustine of Hippo describes Jesus double precept to give and forgive as two essential wings of prayer:

"Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given you. These are the two wings of prayer on which it flies to God. Pardon the offender what has been committed, and give to the person in need."  [Sermon 205.3]

"Let us graciously and fervently perform these two types of almsgiving, that is, giving and forgiving, for we in turn pray the Lord to give us things and not to repay our evil deeds." [Sermon 206.2]

Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil. How can we possibly love those who cause us harm or ill-will? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe in and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's redeeming love and mercy?

"Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart free with your merciful love that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone."

Supplementary Reading

BITTERSWEET

All bitterness . . . must be removed from you. Be . . . forgiving! – Ephesians 4:31, 32

“Lord, I forgive this man.” I uttered this prayer in my heart as I received another unwarranted bullying from my boss. It was truly a humiliating experience. He was the most difficult, stone-hearted fellow in the management team.

I was assigned under him upon my arrival in my overseas job. His treatment towards me paralyzed me to the point that I could no longer think. He went so far as to criticize the words “God bless!” that I include in my emails.

Because I wanted to witness for the Lord in my workplace, I just smiled through the persecution. I learned to live out Colossians 3:12, to put on kindness, humility and patience. In the days that followed, the harshness and the provoking words continued to fly.

It was no longer productive. It was bitter. But I decided to forgive.

One day, about three weeks after I started at my new job, the chief executive officer circulated a memo that I, as division manager, would no longer report to my boss directly. Oh, how sweet this news was to my ears!

The Word of God is indeed true. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).Danny Tariman

REFLECTION:

Do you feel like retaliating when someone insults you?