1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9,12-13,22-23
David does not kill Saul.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 103:1-4,8,10,12-13
A song in praise of God's mercy
Second Reading
1 Corinthians 15:45-49
As we bear the image of Adam, so we will bear the image of the one from
heaven.
Gospel Reading
Luke 6:27-38
Jesus teaches his disciples to be merciful as God is merciful.
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.”
Background on the Gospel Reading
Today's gospel reading is a continuation of the teaching that began in
last Sunday's gospel. We continue to hear Jesus' Sermon on the Plain.
Recall that in Luke's Gospel, this teaching is addressed to Jesus'
disciples. This is in contrast to the parallel found in Matthew's Gospel,
the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus' words are addressed to both the
disciples and to the crowds.
These words from Jesus' teaching are familiar to us. They constitute the
crux and the challenge of what it means to be a disciple: Love your
enemies, turn the other cheek, give to those who ask, do unto others, lend
without expecting repayment, judge not lest you be judged.
There are several similarities between Luke's and Matthew's report of
Jesus' great teaching. Both begin with the Beatitudes. Matthew includes
nearly all the content that Luke does; the Sermon on the Mount in
Matthew's Gospel is longer than Luke's Sermon on the Plain. There are,
however, differences in language and nuance. For example, Matthew presents
this portion of the teaching as a contrast between Jesus' teaching and the
teachings of the law and the prophets. This is in keeping with Matthew's
concern to address his predominantly Jewish audience. It is likely that
Luke omits this contrast because it was unnecessary for the Gentile
believers for whom Luke is writing.
Another point of contrast between Matthew and Luke's presentation is the
terminology. In Luke, Jesus contrasts the behavior of his followers with
the behavior of “sinners.” In Matthew, Jesus contrasts the behavior
desired with the behavior of tax collectors and Gentiles. Matthew
concludes the teaching about love of enemies with the admonition to be
perfect as God is perfect; Luke concludes by emphasizing God's mercy.
In both Gospels, Jesus' words challenge those who would follow him to be
more like God. God loves us beyond our expectations, beyond anything we
can possibly imagine. In response to God's love, we are to love as God
loves, beyond expectations and with a depth beyond imagining.
Family Connection
It is easy to choose to be with others when they are acting politely and
respectfully. But children do not always act this way, especially with
other family members. We can probably all recall a family meal in which
such behavior was not observed. Yet we probably chose to sit through the
meal anyway. We regularly give our children second chances—and often third
and fourth chances—hoping that our generosity will be rewarded. That is
how God acts with us. The ethic that Jesus describes seems like an
impossible task: to give when asked and to do good to those who hate us.
Yet family life is filled with opportunities to act generously and to love
without measure. This is what we parents try to do every day. This is what
we ask our children to learn. We are reminded that when we love generously
and gratuitously, we love as God loves us. This is the meaning of mercy.
As you gather as a family, identify some things that family members are
expected to do each day (prepare meals, go to school or work; complete
homework assignments, complete household chores, behave appropriately at
school, at work and at home; and so on). Discuss whether it is easy to
live up to these expectations. Why or why not? Then discuss the meaning of
the phrase “go the extra mile” and what it would mean to go the extra mile
in the expectations you identified. Introduce today's Gospel: In today's
Gospel reading, Jesus describes how we are to act toward one another. What
he says may sound like what we mean by the phrase “going the extra mile.”
Read aloud today's Gospel, Luke 6:27-38. Discuss whether the actions Jesus
describes are easy and consider why we might act in these ways if they
seem difficult. Observe that today's Gospel challenges us to make choices
based on God's standard; God loves us all the time by going the extra mile
for us. During a time of quiet reflection, invite each family member to
choose an action for the week in which he or she will go the “extra mile”
for the family. Conclude in prayer by praying together St. Ignatius's
Prayer for Generosity.
Sources: Loyola Press; Sunday Readings
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