Luke 6:27-386
NRSV Translation
27-31 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32-36 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. 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 your Father is merciful.
37-38 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
REFLECTIONS:
Thoughts from John:
Every social scientist I’ve encountered recently says the same thing: in light of economic, political, environmental, technological, and cultural upheavals, our world and our relationships have become rapidly more tribalistic. But I don’t need the social scientists to tell me what the evidence of my eyes and ears already reveals. The world is tense right now. Relationships are fractured. Actual and cultural battle lines are drawn. If we ourselves don’t feel hated and misunderstood, we are certainly tempted to hate and mistrust those who represent the ‘other side’.
Am I so surprised? I experience safety and belonging when I know I’m on a team. And the world feels so much more fixable under the control of my own team.
So here’s Jesus, just in time to tell me I don’t have all the answers.
And my impulse to fight and control and create pain and destruction as a strategy to get the other side to change their ways does nothing but limit my own life and bring pain back on to myself.
And my attempt to be a model team member is the easy way out.
And kindness isn’t passivity.
And love isn’t ineffectual.
And the world I long for exists on the other side of forgiveness.
Honestly, I’m a little annoyed with Jesus. I want the easy way out. But in the words of some modern day poets, I don’t want a cycle of recycled revenge.
I don’t want to follow Death and all of his friends.
PRACTICE:
Outward Mindset Application
Think of someone whose job or life is impacted by your decisions. Ask them to share their most important needs with you. Let their response inform your way forward.
Non-Violent Communication Question of the Week
When do you feel most compelled to describe the world in moral categories (good/bad; right/wrong; ugly/beautiful; etc.)? What are more nuanced words you can use that may help you earn the trust of someone listening to you, but disagrees with your perspective?
Pathways toward Centeredness
Enthusiasm (Celebrating and praising Goodness):
Is there a justice or advocacy group you support? Give them a shout out on your social media!
Questions for Reflection
Who is someone whose way looks like ugliness to you? What might subversive kindness look like in response to their behavior?
Who is someone whose perspective on a moral issue is different than your own? What would it take for you to invite them to lunch or coffee and ask them how they arrived at their perspective?
“Liturgy” refers to the habits and practices humans use to form community around shared values and meaning. At Church at the Park, we desire to be a community of practice, becoming people who see the world through the eyes of the marginalized, making meaning through the lens of pain and suffering, and committing ourselves to non-violence in a wounded world. This weekly email is intended to provide pathways of practice for becoming the type of people who embody these values.
Many of our reflections on each week's text come from other sources. If you're interested in reading more of what inspires us, here our our two favorite reflections.
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