On this 10th anniversary of 9/11 this scripture passage for many may be very hard to hear and the hardest to follow. In a world that embellishes it's thinking and actions on the notion of living for oneself regardless of how it hurts another person or persons. It is perhaps easier, even more comfortable to us to rise up in defense or be critical of those who are unwilling to hear the Good News of Jesus' teaching or wise council of the Saints lead by the Holy Spirit to avoid seeking vengeance. It is our natural response when we are attacked or feel threatened to rise up in a spirit of vengeance towards our Brother or Sisters in Christ. St. Paul's message speaks to me in this way......he's speaking not of getting even at those who hurt us and talk evil towards us, but of surrendering our selfish ideas of "an eye for an eye" mentality for one of forgiveness and trust in God's justification towards those who persecute us. In doing so, we are exercising and releasing in faith the control that only God can render.
In the scripture readings of Romans 12:13-21 we are instructed to live and commune with others in a spirit of hospitality, even to those who hurt us, talk bad things about us. In a true spirit of Jesus Christ living in us, we are able to bless those who in our eyes may not be deserving of our mercy and hospitality. But, Brothers and Sisters if we only extend our love to those who only love us and those who nurture our self centered egos, then how is that living the love of Jesus Christ in the world.
We must love even when it's not the easiest to do. In the words of Mother Theresa of Calcutta:
"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
If we remember that all things come from God and his love is freely given to all of us then this saying of Mother Theresa will not be hard for us. If we remember this in our daily lives, we would come to realize that it is not ours to give, but, that when we extend hospitality, mercy, love and forgiveness to others, we do so because it is God who first blessed us.
So for me I hear the Lord saying to me that I must have faith in him alone to take care of those who persecute me. In other words, it is not my job or is anything under my control when I seek retribution towards another person, but, it's the Lord who I must surrender this control to. He's speaking loud and clear to me, that in the end he will take care of all of these people and evil things happening in our world today.
When we bless others, especially those who in our hardened and selfish hearts do not deserve our blessings, we are loving as Christ loves us and when we love in this way the hardened of hearts, including our own are opened to receive the Love of God and seek Him in their own lives.
As you reflect on this scriptural passage think about your own relationship with Jesus and how his message of justification in faith speaks to you in your own lives. Ask yourselves...."What role and concern and care for others play in relationship to the concept of "Justification by faith" and your relationship with Jesus?
It would be most welcomed if you shared your reflections and or thoughts on this passage of scripture as you reflect on them. May the peace of the Lord be with your spirit and may you bless others with the love of Christ, even the ones who hurt you. Blessings of God to you and your families.
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