The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

February 23, 2025 –Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 6:27-38

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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Perhaps you have heard of “the gospel of non-violence.” It is based on the words of today’s gospel. In it we hear stated. “Be merciful, just as your Father (God) is merciful.” Or “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” Further, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” And perhaps the most trying statement of all, “If one strikes you on one cheek, offer the other as well.” Which is more recognized as the command, “Turn the other cheek.”

When passages from the New Testament are posted on a sign on the front of a church, I have never seen any of these passages shown. Unlikely would these words of Jesus draw more people into the church. They appear too demanding or unrealistic.

But they all are important words in the gospels because they tell us something about the “personality” of God. Especially of how God reacts to those times when we have stepped outside the lines of Christian virtue. And they are also important words about how we should react to others.

I have often struggled to be a peaceful and forgiving person, as do many others. Like to “love my enemies and do good to those who hate me” I cannot say that I have always done this. Especially during our present time of so much conflict in both the national and international arenas.

When I was first introduced to the study of moral theology, I recall learning about an important principle of being a good person. It went something like this: When we are confronted with what appear to be almost impossible ideals (like the ones in today’s gospel) one should not focus on their full achievement, but rather try moving toward them, one step at a time.

Maybe I can’t always “turn the other cheek” or totally forgive those who have harmed me, but I can try to be a little more forgiving, more patient or less belligerent myself. In other words, very demanding principles of virtue are not to be judged by crossing the finish line, but rather by moving in the direction they point to. One step at a time.

A final thought. We are not only invited by God to be good to all, even our enemies, but also to ourselves. Self-forgiveness can help us be more forgiving of others.

David M. Thomas, PhD