Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Our Scripture readings of the past six Sundays remind us of being immersed into Christ through our baptism; the need for ongoing conversion and transformation in Christ; the need for liberation from all oppressive and negative forces; being called to continue the mission of liberation, and salvation; being reminded of our inadequacies in fulfilling our mission;  being assured that God will empower us to fulfill our mission;  and of being called  to choose “God’s Way “and not the way of the world…..  

Jesus’s call to "love your enemies" permeate all the Scripture readings of this Sunday. Love for one's enemies is the touchstone of being a Christian. As I reflect on this call to love, I am reminded of the story of Peer Holm whose neighbor owned a fierce dog. Peer warned him that the dog was dangerous, but the old man was very rude in his response. One day, Peer Holm came home to find the dog at the throat of his little daughter. He tore the dog away, but the teeth had gone too deep, and the girl died. The county sheriff shot the dog, and the neighbors were bitter against the owner of the dog.

When sowing time came, Peer Holm’s neighbors refused to sell the owner of the dog any grain. His fields were plowed, but bare. He could neither beg, nor borrow nor buy any seed. Whenever he walked down the road, people sneered at him. But Peer Holm could not sleep at night thinking of his neighbor. He rose very early one morning, went to his shed, and took his last half bushel of barley, climbed his neighbor’s fence, and sowed his neighbor’s field. The fields themselves told the story. When the seeds sprouted, part of Peer’s field remained bare while the field of his neighbor was green.

While many in our world wonder whether Jesus was really serious about loving the enemy, Peer Holm knew how serious Jesus was about loving. Peer couldn’t let it pass.  He had made the choice and he remained faithful. Jesus taught the disciples about the difficulty as well as the importance of making difficult choices. Choosing God’s way, Jesus’ way has always been difficult but not impossible. Jesus was once asked whether only a few would be saved (Luke 13:22-30). Behind this question was the belief that only the Jews would be saved and not the gentiles. Jesus responded by telling them that entrance into the kingdom was not automatic. Membership in the Jewish community or any faith community did not guarantee entrance into the kingdom. He called them to make difficult choices and make the difficult journey…. the door is narrow, he said.  He himself was making his way to Jerusalem to face rejection and eventual death.

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To read more of this Sunday’s reflection, please click on the link below....