April 4, 2014 (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Luke 6:27-36

27 ‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 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. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 ‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 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. 35 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. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Questions for Reflection

In the wake of tragedies like the shootings at Ft. Hood, it’s tempting to think that these words of Jesus are the product of a simpler time, when people treated each other better… or maybe they are the words of an idealist, whose vision is fine, but not really practical for living in today’s world. And yet, Jesus was stripped, beaten, taunted, and ultimately executed in a painful and public manner.  He was no stranger to violence, humiliation, and degradation.  Is it possible today to love our enemies, to pray for those who abuse us?  What good is it?  And can we love them and pray for them at the same time we work for justice?  Think about the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

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