Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor.
“Looking Ahead” is a reflection on the Sunday readings, for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, by Father Perry.
By Father Perry D. Leiker, pastor | Looking Ahead
The sixth chapter of Luke should be required monthly reading — at least for everyone who calls themselves “Christian.”
Then, next to the text, there should be a big bowl to catch all of our tears for the countless number of times that we fail to live it, fail to even think about it, fail to catch its spiritual power. It is clearly extraordinary.
“Love your enemies”
Who would or could have ever thought of that and then lived it; check out the cross and Jesus’ very Lukan words —
“Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”
+ To achieve such freedom to say such words! To be able to not become what is done to us: to hate the haters! Rather, to be spiritually alive and free and whole and holy and beloved and sustained in a most divine way, as Luke’s Jesus says so clearly and divinely —
“Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.”
+ But let us not get discouraged. Let us not believe it is impossible to live or to do. Let us not get bogged down in negative self-thoughts just because we can’t do it all of the time, or even much of the time. Perhaps it is a divine call that touches our spirit now and then, here and there.
That’s what happened to David. David loved Saul — the one who was hunting him down to kill him; but instead of hating Saul, he respected him as the true king and anointed of the Lord.
David gave Saul a chance to experience mercy and love, even when Saul was living murderous thoughts sprinkled with jealousy and hate.
If David could do it, so can we!
Quote of the week |
“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” — Helen Keller (1880-1968).
