“LOVE YOUR ENEMIES” (Luke 6:27)

⏰Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

📕1 Sam 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; Ps. 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10, 12-13 (R.v.8a); 1 Cor 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38

🎤”LOVE YOUR ENEMIES” (Luke 6:27)

How was the election atmosphere in your area yesterday? To God be the glory that it was peaceful in most parts. As for the victims of the violence that erupted in some areas, we pray that God may heal and help the wounded and deprived and have mercy on the souls of the dead. Amen.

Whatever the outcome eventually becomes at the end of the day, we must be prepared to give thanks to God who allowed it. Even if it does not go as you would have wanted or as you prayed, it does not mean that your prayers were not answered. It might only be a certification of the scriptural position that the ways of God is different from the ways of man (see Isa 55:8). What is certain is that God never fails, and he will not fail us. Amen

Meanwhile, while we wait for God to perform the miracle we desire for our nation – the miracle of a new Nigeria – the liturgy of today challenges us to begin the institution of that new Nigeria from within ourselves. In the gospel reading, Jesus challenges us to love our enemies. As is typical of the Lucan Jesus (Jesus as the gospel of Luke presents him), this love is an action word; it is a verb. It is not just a profession that comes from the lips. That is why, immediately after the saying, “Love your enemies”, he added how that is to be achieved perfectly:
1. Do good to those who hate you;
2. Bless those who curse you;
3. Pray for those who abuse you;
4. Do not give in to revenge;
5. Be charitable to everyone;

In the concluding part of that gospel, he reminded us that in doing all those, God should be our model. That is why he said, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Again, he gives us some formula to begin with:
1. Do not judge;
2. Do not condemn;
3. Forgive.

Those might seem very simple but there is something that makes them great and hard. That is the fact that this is supposed to be extended to our so-called enemies and not just to our friends. And that is the example that David gives us in the first reading. In our canal interpretation, we could say that God delivered his enemies into his hands. But while the people were seeing the enemy in Saul and his men, David saw the anointed one in him. In other words, he saw the divinity in him.

Imagine how beautiful Nigeria would be when we begin to see God in ourselves instead of hate and tribe and all that divide us. The incidences of violence that we witnessed yesterday show that we still have a very long way to go. But we know that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step. And in this case, it begins with you and me.

Surely, It’s not an easy road
We are trav’ling to heaven,
For many are the thorns on the way;
It’s not an easy road,
But the Savior is with us,
His presence gives us joy ev’ry day.

Though it is not an easy road but by the grace of God, we shall run the race well so that we can achieve our goal of becoming like God in the end (see 1 Cor 15:49). Amen

Have a lovely and blessed Sunday dear. Peace be with you.