Today’s Gospel is a challenging one and I have to admit that I struggle with Jesus’s command that we love our enemies, especially in today’s political climate. Tensions are building as each day presents us with new unbelievable threats that threaten our security as a nation and indeed, that of the world. In the midst of all this, our spirits were lifted this week as team Canada thrilled us with their stunning gold medal win, but even that had political overtones as we witnessed the booing of national anthems, a previously unimagined action between Canada and the United States. 

Does today’s Gospel even make sense in today’s world of enemies, haters, cursers, injustice and blatant cruelty. I’m not saying we don’t need today’s Gospel; we need it more than ever. But is it really possible to live like that? Does this Gospel represent not just our beliefs but our practices? Are we really living the values taught in today’s Gospel. Are we living in the way that Jesus asks us to?  These are very uncomfortable questions. 

Have you ever ended a relationship, or refused to see or speak with someone, because he or she betrayed your confidence, spoke critically of your child or spouse, or didn’t do what you thought should be done? From whom are you withholding forgiveness these days? When have you condemned or made a judgment about someone else’s life and then gossiped about it? Have you ever wanted to get even and hurt someone because they hurt you or someone you love? These are the real life struggles that today’s Gospel holds before us. I know what that struggle is like and I’ll bet you do too. We’ve all been there.   

The world is complex. Relationships are difficult. Life is fragile. That’s why we need today’s Gospel. And that’s why it matters. But it’s not easy. 

I don’t think Jesus intends his words to be a ‘how to’ lesson. He’s not telling us how to love, reconcile, forgive, be merciful, or offer generosity in particular situations. It’s our responsibility to figure that out. I think his words are intended to stir up our thoughts and call us to look at our motivations and actions more closely. He’s not telling us what to see, he’s teaching us how to see. He’s not giving us easy answers; he’s inviting us to ask better questions.  

We all live in that gap between today’s Gospel and our own patterns of thinking and behaving. Do you feel that tension in your life? In what ways does it come up for you? What parts of today’s Gospel conflict with and challenge your politics, your words and actions, the messages with which you grew up, the values that direct and drive your life? In each of our lives there are contradictions between who we say we are and who we show ourselves to be, between our beliefs and our actions, between our life in Christ and our life in the world. How are you holding that tension and which side is winning?  

We often think of faith as being about what we believe, but what about our behavior? What if faith is about how we live? What if it’s about doing the gospel? What if our behavior is an indicator of what we believe and who or what really matters to us? 

Look at your actions and listen to your words in light of today’s Gospel. What do you see? What do you hear? Where is there alignment and where is there misalignment? What consequences are your words and actions having on others? Is what you say and do congruent with today’s gospel? 

What behaviors do you need to change or stop for the wellbeing of another or yourself? How might you better embody and align yourself with Jesus’s words today? Do you want to? 

One of the things I know for sure is that the pain of the world is great. Everyone has a story of pain hidden behind the life she or he shows to the world. I can never really know what is going on in the life of another. Maybe that’s why Jesus tells us not to judge or condemn but to be forgiving. Maybe that’s why Jesus tells us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who abuse us. Maybe that’s why we are not to return violence for violence. Because we don’t really know the other’s story. 

You and I may not be able to diminish or take away the pain of the world but neither do we have to add to it. That’s the bottom line for me in today’s Gospel. Are you and I adding to the pain of the world, to the life of another? And if we are, what needs to change? What might we do differently? 

Chances are there is someone in each of our lives who is hanging on by a thread; a family member, a friend, a colleague, a stranger, someone who is a fixture in our life or someone who is just passing through. Sometimes we know they are hanging on by a thread, other times we don’t. They’re in need of love, mercy and forgiveness, prayer, a blessing, compassion, generosity, the benefit of the doubt, an open heart and open hands. We all know what that’s like, we’ve been there too. 

I don’t believe that Canadian supporters booing the US hockey team really helps the situation, I witnessed a more hopeful action on the news this week. As a group of Canadians arrived by ferry in Port Angeles, a group of Americans waving Canadian flags, welcomed them and reassured them that not all Americans support the current regime. This is a more life-giving action, and perhaps the sort of action that we can all participate in, even as we feel limited in what we can do. Let me end with a story that illustrates the power of individual actions: 

According to an old Inca legend, one day there was a big fire in the forest. All the animals fled in terror in all directions, because it was a very violent fire. Suddenly, the jaguar saw a hummingbird pass over his head, but in the opposite direction. The hummingbird flew towards the fire! 

Whatever happened, he wouldn't stop. Moments later, the jaguar saw him pass again, this time in the same direction as the jaguar was walking. He could observe this coming and going, until he decided to ask the bird about it, because it seemed very bizarre behavior. 

"What are you doing, hummingbird?" he asked. 

"I am going to the lake," he answered, "I drink water with my beak and throw it on the fire to extinguish it." The jaguar laughed. 'Are you crazy? Do you really think that you can put out that big fire on your own with your very small beak?' 

'No,' said the hummingbird, 'I know I can't. But the forest is my home. It feeds me, it shelters me and my family. I am very grateful for that. And I help the forest grow by pollinating its flowers. I am part of her and the forest is part of me. I know I can't put out the fire, but I must do my part. This is who I am. 

At that moment, the forest spirits, who listened to the hummingbird, were moved by the bird and its devotion to the forest. And miraculously they sent a torrential downpour, which put an end to the great fire. 

The Inca grandmothers would occasionally tell this story to their grandchildren, then conclude with, "Do you want to attract miracles into your life? Do your part. 

 

 

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