Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: September 12, 2024

Date: Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text:  Luke 6:27-38

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 also 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.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel today continues Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. Today’s portion of the sermon focuses on love and mercy as the defining attributes of those who would follow Jesus. Jesus’ words surprise His listeners because of their demand to show love and mercy always, not just to those who would return it, but even to those who never will. As Jesus tells us, we are to give to others what we ourselves would hope to receive – “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How well do I treat those who treat me poorly? How forgiving am I of others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your loving mercy extends to us all, and we can not forget that even though we are sinners, You sent your only begotten and beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us and from among us to selflessly sacrifice himself upon the cross at Calvary to atone for our sins. Though we did not deserve it, salvation came from You, through Christ, in the Spirit to humanity. Send your Spirit to tenderize my very being so that the words and deeds of Christ might more perfectly and deeply penetrate my whole being and so that I might be wholly and truly converted, turning to You and to your love this day and all days. Grant that I may live the life You created me to live and become the one You created me to be. May I pick up my cross and follow closely in the footsteps of your beloved Son. I ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.