7th SUNDAY O.T. YEAR C
There was this story about Jesus who was walking down the road with his disciples. Some people who saw him threw stones at him and cursed him. Jesus just blessed them. His disciples asked, “Master why do you bless those who curse you?” Jesus replied, “I can only give what I keep in my purse.” This teaches us that though we have in ourselves that beastly instinct to retaliate when hurt or love only our own, we are capable of loving much more. And it is also a warning that we may not be securely conscious of our deep loving identity kept in our purses – our hearts – but we are always ready holding a rock in our hands. The word of God points to us this deep loving identity that will help us in how we treat enemies.
1. SELF-KNOWLEDGE. Before we point our finger at the other as an enemy, we have to step back, look at ourselves and ask: have I/we been a potential enemy to the other and the Other? Mahatma Gandhi said: “No man could look upon another as his enemy unless he first became his own enemy.” James 4:4, ‘Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.’ Ephesians 2:3 says, ‘We once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.’ St. Paul in our second reading describes 2 aspects of reality that are present in each of us. “We are borne with the image of the earthly Adam who because of sin and disobedience was estranged from God. We shall also bear the image of the heavenly Adam who wishes to restore our communion with God and one another by his way of humility and obedience. This shows we are not better than others or above anyone.
2. WHO THE OTHER IS? In his recent letter to the Catholic bishop of the USA, Pope Francis encouraged them to “promote the common good – to welcome, to protect and to integrate the most fragile, unprotected and vulnerable. The human person is a subject with dignity who, through the constitutive relationship with all, especially with the poorest, can gradually mature in his/her identity and vocation.” Here the Pope invites us to recognize the truth in the other person. This was what David had shown his companion in the first reading. Despite King Saul’s hatred for David and his murderous intent towards the young man, David did not take the king’s life when the opportunity presented itself. David didn’t wish the downfall of Saul. He still respected Saul as the one chosen by God to shepherd Israel. When we go back to the story of creation, we behold the truth that each one of us shares – All human beings were created by God and He saw us as very good – therefore, the invitation to see the potential for good and maturity in the other while conscious of his/her flaws and failures.
3. GOD’S WAY OF LOVING IS OUR MODEL. This is reflected in the Alleluia verse today: “I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you.” Most of the time we adopt this line according to our convenience by just focusing on the phrase “love one another”. But our way of loving can be influenced by our natural human inclination: Biologically, we gravitate towards those who share in our genes. Psychologically, we become close to family and our small circle of friends with whom we built years of trust and shared experiences. Our love tends to be reciprocal and conditional – I will love those who love me back. In the Gospel, Jesus pointed to the constricting nature of human love (there is no credit loving those who love you and lending while expecting repayment with same amount).That is why the whole statement is essential: we love one another the way Jesus loves us. God’s vision includes everyone, his space is wider than what we can think of. Remember when Jesus had dinner at Matthew’s house and the Pharisees complained to his disciples that his master was eating with sinners, Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor, not the healthy.” Again, Mahatma Gandhi said: “Conquer the heart of the enemy with truth and love, not by violence.” To love the enemy is not approving their wrongdoing and unhealthy choices. But St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, “It is willing the good of others for their own sake.” How does God love us? Romans 5:8, ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ God’s nature is love (1 John 4:8), as plain as that. And I imagine Jesus telling us, “We are capable of loving like God because we have His DNA – we are made in his image and likeness.”
Sisters and brothers, we will not be able to love others, including our enemies, as Jesus loves unless we learn to abide in Jesus and learn from him. (John 15: I am the vine, you are the branches. As the branch cannot bear fruit unless it remains attached to the vine, no more can you unless you abide in me) To end, allow me to share with you a song composed by a Filipino Jesuit that is about beholding the presence of Jesus in the other person, even in those we see as our enemy.
Jesus, our brother, you returned to earth but we don’t recognize you because you look different,
Jesus, our brother, even if your shoes are dirty and your clothes are torn, may you remain with us
Jesus, our brother, you are in the farmer of the field or the laborer who works in the market place
Open our eyes to the truth that you will be known and recognized in the humble person.
