February 26th Lenten Reflection

Luke 6:27–38

Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”

Reflection by Anna Venenga

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you… But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.”

These bits of today’s scripture reminded me greatly of the Prayer attributed to St. Francis found in our prayer book (pp. 833) and elsewhere.

“Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”

This prayer is one of my favorites, especially when I feel despair about the world in which we live in. It is so easy for us to resort to being angry, bitter people (even though it actually takes more energy to be angry), but that is an attitude that the world often promotes. The way of Jesus was one of radical love. This radical love included all people, even those who wanted Jesus to be dead. If our Savior can love this radically, I can pray and ask for sanctification to love in this way too, even if it is hard. It will be a hard, imperfect journey, but one that is never walked alone. As we aspire to love all those around us, Jesus is holding our hand while loving just the same.