Saturday, March 7

Scripture for the Day: ‘But 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 every-one 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.’ – Luke 6:27-38

Reflection – Carol Rice

Today's gospel reading includes the phrase, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This familiar command seems reasonably doable because it focuses me on my own values. Sure, I'll try to treat people the way I like to be treated. For me it has a one-sided slant (mine).

But also in Luke's passage are the words, “If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also.” Now that doesn't fit so well in my value system. This is pretty radical, or counter-intuitive as we say today. It’s hard to think of a time in my life when a hurt didn't result in a desire to retaliate or some negative action. I definitely need God's help with this one.

The model for this radical kind of love of course is God who surrounds us with love in the midst of our brokeness. I persist in unlovable behavior, yet God's love is undiminished. What a model.
At our grandson's recent confirmation, the 'words of assurance' from the service program resonated, "As far as the east is from the west, that is how far God removes our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12) For me, this is a phrase to ponder deeply if I am to make any progress on cheek-turning.