Word to the Wise
Thursday, September 12, 2024 - Thursday in the 23th Week in Ordinary Time
[1 Cor 8:1b-7, 11-13 and Luke 6:27-38]"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....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 be measured out to you." [Luke]
The "Sermon on the Plain" continues today and begins with the admonition to love one's enemies. Scripture scholars (and ordinary folks, too) agree that this is one of the unique characteristics of Jesus' ethical teaching. This is more than being polite with gritted teeth. A second feature is represented in the words about generosity. It is important that our generosity not be tied to an expectation of reciprocity even if a generous return will result. One of the reasons some of the guests invited to the marriage feast in Jesus' parable [Luke 14:15-24] were reluctant to come (although not explicitly mentioned but commonly believed) was that the one inviting would expect a similar invitation in return.
The colorful words about the "measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing" could invite the imagination to work on how much grain would be poured into one's lap! It would be at least several dry quarts. The "packed together, shaken down, and overflowing" testifies to a feature of ordinary life in Jesus' time that might occur in our own. It speaks to a generous heart. That same generosity should also characterize love of enemy, which Luke will recall in the parable of the Good Samaritan. [Luke 10:29-37].
Yes, Jesus makes some tough demands. G. K. Chesterton's famous comment comes to mind: "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried." How are we trying? AMEN
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