But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. 35 But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.”
Jesus continues his moral teaching and challenges his followers to love their enemies. This radical form of love extends beyond the normal tolerance and benevolence expected in the legal and ethical framework provided by the Torah. In the Old Testament, loving someone involved a combination of moral actions, commitment, mercy, faithfulness, and a deep sense of responsibility towards the well-being of others, grounded in the commandments given by God. These still apply but Jesus challenges his followers to seek the good of others even when they wish his followers harm. They are to love unconditionally as God loves unconditionally and pray for those who mistreat them.
Christians must be humble and not retaliate to perceived injustices. They should be as generous in forgiving as God is to them. They should not only love, bless, and pray for those who would harm them, but they should not retaliate to injury. They should be generous and lend to everyone who asks including their enemies, and they should not try to recover what was stolen from them. This was a new and radical way of thinking because it was contrary to one’s natural tendencies. It transcends human justice and reflects divine generosity.
Jesus told his disciples to observe the “golden rule” which is central to Christian values. His followers must perceive the needs and rights of others as they perceive their own. His followers are not to love as sinners love by seeking reciprocity when they do good. In the culture at that time, anyone who received a ‘good’ was obligated to reciprocate. Trust in God’s rewards for their good deeds frees disciples from relying on rewards from human beings. It is only when they do good out of love without expecting anything in return that they receive the reward of righteousness from God (Lk. 14:14). If God is kind to the “ungrateful and the wicked (v. 35)” how much more will God be generous to those who love him. They must imitate God’s mercy and kindness.
Heavenly Father, guide us to be merciful, just as you are merciful, and strengthen us to embody your love in all our actions and relationships. Grant us the courage and grace to live out the teachings of your Son. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
__________________________________
Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
Comments