Coffee With God

Reflection: Luke 6: 27-38

The authors of the gospels have tried to present Jesus as the new Moses – the new law-giver- the Messiah. The Ten Commandments formed the basis of the Jewish faith which offered them guidelines for their religious as well as social life. In the New Testament, Jesus gives a new guideline for those who follow him. And he reinterprets the laws and explains the commandment of love as the first and most important of all commandments. In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives a new set of values for those who follow him, explaining in greater detail the commandment of love, which involves doing good, blessing, praying, not refusing but always giving. Here, the command to love is introduced with a twist – the twist is: to love even our actual enemies and to do good for those who hate us; to bless those who curse us; to pray not only for our needs and those of our dear and near ones, but also for the needs of those who abuse us. The biggest challenge that would prick our conscience would be the command to give. The newness of the Gospel lies in giving of oneself, giving one’s heart without expecting anything in return. Jesus’ invitation to respond to insult and wrongdoing with love, has created a new culture in the world: Pope Francis calls this “A culture of mercy.” In his apostolic letter for the Year of Mercy, Misericordia et Misera (20) he wrote that the “culture of mercy should set in motion a real cultural revolution – a revolution of love, in which the protagonists are the martyrs of all times.” And Jesus assures us that our behaviour, inspired by love for those who do us harm, will not be in vain. He tells us: “forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you.” Is it Possible to Love our enemies and do good to those who hate you? This is precisely what God continuously does. Essentially, God is love. And God has created us “to Do good, and to lend without interest, expecting nothing in return. And your reward will be great”. “Do not judge” is a new commandment – as important as any one of the ten commandments. Judgement always happens because of comparisons – we compare ourselves with others and judge how good or bad we are. God does not compare, because he created us unique. There is nothing comparable and therefore, Jesus says, he himself does not judge. The path of Jesus is generosity, the giving of oneself without measure. He came into the world to save and he gave himself, he forgave, he spoke ill of no one, he did not judge