SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

1Samuel 26:7…23

Psalm 102:1-4.8.10

1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Luke 6:27-38

LOVE FOR ONE’S ENEMY

In a world that celebrates violence, power and vengeance, Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel may appear awkward, nonsensical and unacceptable. In effect, he teaches his disciples to be loving, forgiving, generous and kind to everyone including those who hate, persecute or curse them. They are not to judge or condemn others, but be tolerant so as to become children of the Most High: “Be merciful as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:27-38). As Pope Francis often says, three words indicates God’s style: closeness, mercy and tenderness. His love reaches out to everyone without discrimination; he loves each one of us totally, even though we are hateful, sinful and unworthy. “He does not treat us according to our sins nor repays us according to our faults” (Ps 102:10).

Loving our enemies, blessing those who curse us, praying for those who mistreat us or lending without looking forward for restitution is a real challenge to go beyond the human logic of love and kindness. In the light of Saint Paul’s words, we can say that this is an invitation to let go our old self, inherited from our first parent Adam, and put on the new self in Christ Jesus (1Co 15:45-49). And this is undoubtedly difficult to live by. But difficulty is not impossibility. As such, a concrete example of the love for one’s enemy is given us in the first reading. The opportunity was given to David to take vengeance on king Saul, who was pursing his life. But for respect of his dignity as the Lord’s anointed, David spared his life (1Sam. 26:7…23).

Thus, a Christian must not to have enemies in the first place; but if somebody hates him for any reason, he is to love that person. This is not an apologetics to a fatal pacifism, but rather, an invitation to go beyond ourselves, and cultivate the ability to let go our hurts, wounds that others inflict us, live peaceably with all and not repay anyone evil for evil. For the better way to take vengeance on one’s enemy is to love him (read Rom 12:17-21). May the Lord grant us the grace to love everyone sincerely and forgive genuinely. Amen

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Isaiah 6:1-8

Ps 137:1-5.7-8

1 Co. 15:1-11

Luke 5:1-11

CALLED TO BE MESSENGERS OF GOD

Christian life begins with the encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. This encounter brings about change in our lives, because it is the beginning of our faith relationship with God. It also comes with a mission: becoming an apostle or a messenger of God. In effect, Isaiah had a vision of God in the sanctuary. Filled with awe, he acknowledged his sinfulness before the holiness of God. Purged and strengthened by God, he received his call to be God’s messenger.

St Paul also had an encounter with the risen Jesus on his way to Damascus. This experience changed his life. From a persecutor of the Church, he became an apostle of Christ, a witness of the Gospel. He worked and preached with much zeal, conviction and pride in God’s grace.

In the Gospel, St Luke narrates the call of the first disciples. Simon Peter and his companions were fishermen by profession. After a fruitless fishing adventure, in their despair and tiredness, they encountered Jesus. Though with hesitation and protest, Simon trusted and obeyed this itinerant preacher who told him: “Put out into deep water and lower the nets for a cath.” The result was overwhelming and beyond any expectation: their nets could hardly hold the catch, for they caught many fish. This miraculous catch changed their lives. They left everything and followed Jesus. From fishermen they became fishers of men.

There are many such encounters with the Lord in our lives. God continues to call us, for he needs us in order to continue his saving work in our world today. Are we ready to say with Isaiah: Here, I am, Lord, send me? Will we leave everything like Peter and his companions to become witnesses of Christ? Or are we scare and afraid because of the challenges and difficulties that the mission involves?

 Whatever the case may be, let us keep in mind two things. First, when God calls, he equips with what is necessary for the mission. He will never leave us bereft of his grace. Second, he who trusts in the Lord and obey his words does not make mistakes nor gets disappointed. If we allow him to encounter us where we are, if we accept his call to become his messengers, if we trust and obey, our lives will never be the same. Remain blessed! Amen