The Sermon on the Plain continues into this week as part Jesus’ extensive teachings. His teachings provoke our common understanding of how things should be – last week they were on happiness and suffering. Our attention this week turns to relationship with others – particularly those who make us feel uncomfortable for reasons known to us personally. It forces us to look inwardly as a self-examination. The question to ask ourselves is why do they make us uncomfortable?
Once again, we are asked to go beyond ourselves to see from the perspective of Christ. Taking on this perspective we discover so much of our own humanity. There is a humanity that Christ is constantly drawing us towards – his own.
“Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”
With so much division in our society because of different opinions and beliefs it can easily lead us to turn against one another. Can we love those who disagree with us? When someone disagrees with us, they are effectively disagreeing with something personal – our beliefs, values, and how we might see the world. This is difficult to take! unbearable! frustrating! infuriating to say the least. Rather than thanking and appreciating them for offering a different perspective we might concentrate on how to turn this uncomfortable feeling into some form or another. Our actions and thoughts might turn into something uncharitable.
What a challenging Gospel this is but it is drawing us to be like the compassionate, kind and loving Father.
By Fr Hoang Dinh
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