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Reflection by Liam Doherty; Catholic Identity and Religious Education AdviserFirst Reading 1 Samuel 26:2. 7-9. 12-13. 22-23; Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, Gospel Luke 6:27-38
We live in a world where conflict and strife seem ever-present. The constant saturation of local and global events through the news, especially social media, often reminds us of the wrongs and injustices in our world. We hear about the youth crime wave and controversial bail laws, and we are constantly confronted with stories of aggression and violence. Voices in the media, politics, and public protests call for greater consequences, punishment, and action. This is a natural human response to being wronged.
Yet today’s readings challenge us to turn this thinking on its head. They remind us that we are people of God, the God of mercy and love. In the Gospel, Jesus calls us to be conduits of God’s love and mercy. He urges us to reflect God’s love in our interactions with others, even those we consider enemies.
This message brings to mind an experience from my own life, when I was filled with a desire for justice and retribution. As a university student struggling financially, my pride and joy was an old, unreliable Datsun 180B—essential for getting to classes and providing me with some semblance of a social life. One night, after witnessing two people trying to steal the car, my brothers and I pursued them, consumed by anger and a thirst for justice. We caught up with one of them and brought him back home, ready to call the police. But when we arrived, my parents greeted the boy (a mere child, really) with kindness. They asked if he would like a drink and engaged him in conversation, trying to understand why he had resorted to stealing. Despite having little to offer, they showed him mercy and love. Instead of calling the police, my mother gave him a cup of tea and a biscuit and then asked us to drive him home in the very car he had tried to steal. As he left, he asked my mum, “Why are you being so kind to me?” To which she simply replied, “Next time you feel the need to steal, think about who you might be stealing from.” This experience of mercy still impacts me deeply.
The Gospel continues Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, following the Beatitudes. If the Beatitudes weren’t radical enough, Jesus now calls for even greater challenges: “Love your enemies.” In a culture where strict laws of cleanliness and purity dominated, where Jews were often in conflict with Romans and Samaritans, Jesus’ words must have been scandalous. He urges his followers to “do good to those who hate you,” and to “turn the other cheek.” To those listening, this must have seemed unattainable. But Jesus clarifies his message, urging them to “treat others as you would like them to treat you.” He reminds them that by showing mercy and love, they reflect God’s own kindness, who is “kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.” Jesus calls us to “be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.”
These instructions from Jesus may seem impossible, even unrealistic. But we must remember that, like much in the Gospels, exaggeration or hyperbole are utilised to reinforce the message. Jesus isn’t necessarily demanding that we follow these actions literally; rather, he invites us into a deeper relationship with God through our interactions with others. Jesus challenges us to take a vulnerable position, to strive to mirror God in our dealings with others. He calls us to move away from revenge and retribution, and to adopt actions that restore and build relationships. Judgment, retribution, and revenge only serve to break down connections with others.
As Christians, we are called to demonstrate love and mercy, even when wronged. Our actions should be reflections of God’s mercy and love, showing compassion even in moments of vulnerability and affliction. This brings to mind a famous quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.” How much better would the world be if we focused on building relationships rather than seeking retribution?
If we listen to today’s readings, we must consider how we respond when we feel vulnerable, frightened or targeted. Should we call for harsher punishments for youth offenders, tougher laws, or the deportation of criminals and refugees? Or do we listen to the call to be an encounter of Christ’s love and mercy, even to those who have wronged us?
Returning to the example of my parents, it would have been easy to call the police, or to take actions that seemed justified. But they chose to demonstrate authentically what Christian love and mercy truly are. The young man who attempted to steal from us returned the next day, apologizing for his actions. My parents’ example of mercy showed him Christ’s love, and that moment still resonates with me today.
