Sunday, September 30, 2018

Luke 6:31-36


Luke 6:31-36

Quote:

As you want other people to deal with you, you must also deal with them in the same manner: for, if you love those who love you, what grace do you receive in return: for, even sinners love those who love them.  If you only do good to those who do good to you, what grace do you receive in return: for, even sinners do this same thing.  If you only lend to those of whom you expect repayment, what grace do you receive in return: for, even sinners lend to sinners, hoping for repayment of the debt.

But you must love your enemies, do good, lend, hoping for no repayment[1]; then your reward shall be great, you shall also be the children of the Highest: for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

You must therefore be merciful, just as your Father is merciful as well.

Unquote.
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Today’s lesson from Luke sounds a great deal like Matthew.  Matthew prefers the word forgive; yet, that which must be forgiven is clearly debt.[2]  Trespasses is not the right idea either; rather side-falls: and which of us has not fallen aside into one ditch or the other?  Of course, debts can be more than money: but we must not forgive all else, while holding our brothers and sisters in slavery to money, as is the common modern practice.

We live in a society where the highest aim is justice.  We must make others accountable for their actions.  This, unless it leads to forgiveness and mercy, is pure, raw, evil.  Accountability and justice are worthless, wicked goals in their own right: for only God can wield loving accountability and justice.

We must become a completely different kind of people, a God-like people if we expect to get to heaven.

The Church must put away all her bitter divisions, to become again the bride she once was at the beginning: pure, forgiving, merciful.  The Church must do again her first works.

As it stands today, many are doing their utmost to turn this once beautiful bride into an ugly slut.  May God have mercy on our souls: for we don’t even realize what we are doing.[3]



[1] Which is to say, make it a gift; don’t lend it at all.  The old adage still applies, “Neither borrower, nor lender be.”
https://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/neither-borrower-nor-lender

[2] Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 18:23-35

[3] Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60

[4] If you have been blessed or helped by any of these meditations, please repost, share, or use any of them as you wish.  No rights are reserved.  They are designed and intended for your free participation.  They were freely received, and are freely given.  No other permission is required for their use.

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