15th Sunday after Pentecost-September 29, 2019
As the month of September comes to a close, we are blessed with "seasonable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth and 'relatively' peaceful times." Our weather has been quite spectacular with warm days and cool nights. The roadside fruitstands have been filled with late harvest vegetables and a bounty of autumn fruits including apples, pumpkins, squash and other comfort foods.
Yet, our nation struggles with interior peace-the peace from above-as our liturgy so eloquently states. We are divided by many factions. Each faction has its own source of truth, and those who fail to recognize and accept that truth are labeled as unpatriotic, un-American, or worse. None of us are immune from this terrible outbreak of "I, me, and mine." Today's Gospel teaches us the clear path to truth. "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them" (Luke 6: 31). The golden rule is the simpliest of rules. We learn this rule at a young age from our parents, teachers, and religious leaders. We are supposed to make this rule the one above all others, yet our society seems to be quite far from this way of life.
Our Lord reminds us that we must love not only those who love us back, but expects us to love our enemies. Society can accept the theory that we love those who love us, but to love our enemies is completely unnatural. How can we love those who harm us, speak ill of us, swear an oath destroy our way of life, and seek to undermine all that we hold sacred? The answer is simple-love. Divine, unconditional love can achieve great change in our lives and eventually throughout the world. As our Lord suffered on the Cross, He spoke these words, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do."
In His pain and agony, with His enemies jeering at Him and shouting insults, our Lord forgave all on that day, and only love can create such forgiveness. Love is the source of all good, love is the path to truth, and love is the essence of the Christian life. You may want revenge, but revenge only leads to more violence, hatred and death. Love changes hearts and minds, love moves people to do that which is contrary to societal expectations, and love transforms our world. So this week, seek love in all you do. Change will come.
Yet, our nation struggles with interior peace-the peace from above-as our liturgy so eloquently states. We are divided by many factions. Each faction has its own source of truth, and those who fail to recognize and accept that truth are labeled as unpatriotic, un-American, or worse. None of us are immune from this terrible outbreak of "I, me, and mine." Today's Gospel teaches us the clear path to truth. "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them" (Luke 6: 31). The golden rule is the simpliest of rules. We learn this rule at a young age from our parents, teachers, and religious leaders. We are supposed to make this rule the one above all others, yet our society seems to be quite far from this way of life.
Our Lord reminds us that we must love not only those who love us back, but expects us to love our enemies. Society can accept the theory that we love those who love us, but to love our enemies is completely unnatural. How can we love those who harm us, speak ill of us, swear an oath destroy our way of life, and seek to undermine all that we hold sacred? The answer is simple-love. Divine, unconditional love can achieve great change in our lives and eventually throughout the world. As our Lord suffered on the Cross, He spoke these words, "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do."
In His pain and agony, with His enemies jeering at Him and shouting insults, our Lord forgave all on that day, and only love can create such forgiveness. Love is the source of all good, love is the path to truth, and love is the essence of the Christian life. You may want revenge, but revenge only leads to more violence, hatred and death. Love changes hearts and minds, love moves people to do that which is contrary to societal expectations, and love transforms our world. So this week, seek love in all you do. Change will come.
