Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus presents us with a commandment that can only be described as radical: To love our enemies. His message marks the beginning of a new Covenant marked by a personal relationship with God.

Gospel according to Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 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. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 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. 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. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Reflections

In this Sunday’s passage, Jesus presents us with a commandment that can only be described as radical: To love our enemies. At the time, this must have been shocking and seemingly outrageous. The Law of Moses clearly outlines a principle of reciprocal justice: “If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” (Exodus 21:23-27). The Law of Moses was written at the time of the First Covenant between God and Israel, a time when even God’s chosen people lived with hardened hearts, often turning away from their faith. In this way, the complementary nature of Jesus’ mission is revealed. He has not come to abolish the Old Testament law, but to build on it.

Jesus’ message marks the beginning of a new Covenant between the Father and all of humanity - A Covenant marked by a personal love of God. Jesus does not call us to a sentimental or surface-level love. He calls us to a deep and self-giving love, to seek the good of others, even if they have gravely wronged us. Jesus himself modeled this love through His passion: Even during the last moments of His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus prayed for His persecutors and implored the Father to forgive them: “‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing’” (Luke 23:34). He loved the world so much that he willingly endured suffering and gave up his life to redeem humanity from the consequences of sin (1). “In Jesus Christ the visible world which God created for man-the world that, when sin entered, ‘was subjected to futility’-recovers again its original link with the divine source of Wisdom and Love. Indeed, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son’” (John 3:16; 1). As followers of Christ, each one of us is called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, to love others even if they do not love us in return. We are called to pray for those who persecute us because of Jesus’ name, and to forgive them for their wickedness: “This is the revolution of Jesus, the greatest revolution in history: from hating our enemy to loving our enemy; from the cult of complaint to the culture of gift. If we belong to Jesus, this is the road we are called to take” (2).

Jesus also teaches us the Golden Rule, where He commands us to “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). This principle is central to our journey of faith as we interact with others. We are asked to treat our neighbors with the same kindness and compassion that we desire for ourselves. As Christians, we are called to be generous, forgiving, and merciful toward others, just as we hope others would be toward us. By living out this seemingly simple instruction, we can send out waves of kindness and love that will transform our relationships and communities. A world full of kindness, says Pope Francis, “‘is a more beautiful world’” while “‘a society that looks to the future with confidence and treats people with respect and empathy is more humane’” (3).

Jesus continues with a stern warning: We will be judged by the same standard that we use to condemn others (Luke 6:37-38). Instead of judging, Jesus asks us to show mercy and compassion to those around us. He evokes the image of the Good Samaritan, who stopped to help the stranger in need, rather than the others, who passed by on the other side of the road (Luke 10:25-37). As Christians, we are reminded to cultivate a virtuous life. In 2025, a Jubilee year of pilgrims of hope, Pope Francis encourages believers to “... ‘choose love in a world beset with wars, social injustices, various forms of violence’” (3) He explains that “‘’We choose love, and love makes our hearts fervent and hopeful’ … [Love] ‘opens our hearts to acceptance and helps us to become more humble’” (3).

In the words of G. K. Chesterton, this love “‘invites us to take the elements of life with gratitude and not for granted’” (3). In this way, we are called to create a culture of empathy, where everyone is valued and loved. Actions that go contrary to the values of respect are not condoned, but they work together through dialogue to find a productive path that will bring synchrony and harmony.

By living virtuously, we will bear good fruit; Fruit which will nourish others and bring glory to God. May we strive to live a life that reflects the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resources

1. John Paul II (1979). Redemptor Hominis. Dicastero per la Comunicazione - Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Retrieved from: www.vatican.va. Accessed on: February 21, 2025.
2. Mares, C. (2020). Pope Francis: Ask God for the strength to love your enemies. Catholic News Agency. Retrieved from: catholicnewsagency.com. Accessed on: February 21, 2025.
3. Wells, C. (2024). Pope Francis: Hope and kindness make the world more beautiful. Vatican News. Retrieved from: www.vaticannews.va. Accessed on: February 21, 2025.