February 20, 2022, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
The Gospel for today (Lk. 6:27-38) picks up where we left off last week with the Sermon on the Plain and Luke’s version of the Beatitudes. This week it continues with what is probably one of the most difficult lessons mandated by Jesus, that is the love of one’s enemies.
We get an example of this teaching in the First Reading from the book of 1Samuel (1Sam. 26:2,7-9,12-13, 22-23) in an incident between the first two kings of Israel, Saul, and David. In the first portion of 1Samuel God had given in to the demand of the leaders of Israel to appoint a king to rule them like the other nations. So, God chose Saul from the tribe of Benjamin, and he was anointed king by the last great judge of Israel, Samuel. But Saul fell from favor with the Lord by breaking the proper circumstances for worship and rules for warfare established by God. The Lord, therefore, decided to eliminate Saul as king and fill his role with David, the young shepherd from the tribe of Judah.
At first David is a friend, apprentice, and companion of Saul. But soon Saul begins to envy and despise David because he becomes more popular among the people. Out of jealousy, Saul seeks to murder David and thereby eliminate his competition. David is thus forced to flee Jerusalem with a small group of loyal followers and go on the run as a fugitive to avoid the threat of Saul.
In today’s passage David and his men happen to come upon Saul who is asleep in the desert at night after spending the day in search of David. Saul has his spear thrust into the ground near his head and is surrounded by three thousand of his men for protection, as well as his general Abner. One of David’s companions named Abishai offers to assassinate Saul with his spear, but David objects proclaiming, “Do not harm him, for who can lay hands on the Lord’s anointed and remain unpunished?” (1Sam. 26:9).
David then takes Saul’s spear and water jug and travels to a remote hilltop some distance from Saul and his troops and declares the tragedy they have unknowingly avoided because of his loyalty and faithfulness. David proclaims, “Today, though the Lord delivered you into my grasp, I would not harm the Lord’s anointed.” (1Sam. 26:23).
Considering the theme of “love thy enemy,” David’s lack of action against Saul might not necessarily be interpreted on an emotional level, as if David suddenly “loves” Saul who has become his enemy. Rather, it relates more to the fact that, out of loyalty, David wishes no harm to come to Saul because he is God’s anointed king and once was God’s favorite and faithful servant.
We might consider Jesus’ lesson on love of enemies in a similar manner. We all have people in our lives we do not particularly like, or get along with, who we might consider “enemies.” And it isn’t that Jesus is insisting that we suddenly “love” them as we would love our parents, siblings, spouses, or children. Rather Jesus is saying that we should learn to act towards them in ways that are contrary to our instincts of hostility. In his sermon Jesus gives us ways to consider doing this.
First Jesus speaks of people who dislike us for some reason; those who seek to curse or harm us. Instead of mistreating this type of enemy in return, wouldn’t it be a surprise to them if we treated them with kindness and respect. This unexpected response and effort on our part may be the first step and impetus toward mending a relationship of animosity.
Second Jesus rejects the actions of retaliation and revenge, commanding that we offer to our enemy twice that which they deem to take from us. If it is our cheek, offer the other one. If it is our cloak, give them our spare. Keep on giving and do not demand a thing in return.
Next Jesus redefines the rules of reciprocity. He says there is no credit in loving the person who loves you, doing good to those who do the same for you, nor lending to those who can pay back the correct amount. Rather, it is important to love others, do good for them, or even lend them money knowing that they cannot repay. In so doing we become more like our heavenly Father who behaves favorably toward those of us who are undeserving.
Finally, Jesus preaches against judging others. Although we may recognize the faults and wrongdoings of others, we must not pass judgment arrogantly forgetting our own faults and imperfections. For this lack of judgment and condemnation will ultimately lead to our own forgiveness from the Lord.
In essence, with this speech from the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus has entirely redefined the golden rule which states, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Lk. 6:31). He has repeatedly proclaimed that there is no credit or reward for such behavior. Instead, he is insisting that we “Do to others as God would do.”
This is an entirely different way of acting for us. It is a standard far higher than those set by men. It is an imitation of the way in which Jesus treated his enemies. Although he could have escaped the suffering and persecution of his passion and crucifixion, he instead allowed himself to be led as a lamb to its slaughter. And with what was left of his last breadth he prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23:34).
If we follow these rules of Jesus, the love of one’s neighbor that is characterized by forgiveness and generosity, then he guarantees us a certain promise toward our salvation, “Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High.” (Lk. 23:35b).
