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“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend
expecting nothing back; then 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.” Luke 6:35–36
It is certainly difficult to be “kind to the ungrateful and the
wicked.” But doing so is exactly what our Lord commanded us to do.
And His command is not a command in the sense of being a burden. On
the contrary, it’s a command that frees us from the ingratitude and
wickedness we encounter.
Oftentimes, when we encounter ingratitude from another, or any
other form of wickedness, we tend to react in kind. Our fallen
human nature lures us into cruelty when faced with cruelty. We
criticize, condemn, attack and get angry. But Jesus is very clear
that this is not how the “Most High” acts toward the wicked. And it
is not how He acts toward us. In the end, the wicked who fail to
repent will endure the consequences of their rejection of God’s
mercy. But until that final judgment, hope of conversion must
always be present. And for that reason, we must never give up on
another, no matter how difficult. Kindness shown to everyone, in
every circumstance, goes to the heart of the mission we have
received as children of God.
Think about the person in your life who seems unworthy of your
kindness and generosity. Why are they undeserving? Are they truly
undeserving? The truth, according to our Lord’s teaching, is that
these are not questions we should even ask ourselves. Instead, we
must fully commit ourselves to loving everyone who appears to be
our enemy, and do good to them and to everyone whom we encounter.
Though this is difficult, it won’t be if we understand the goodness
that God has shown to us.
God has shone us perfect goodness, not because He expected anything
back, but simply because He has willed to love us. If we want to be
children of God the Most High, then we must reciprocate the love
given to us. That’s the nature of God’s love. It cannot be
contained. It cannot be selfishly received without also allowing it
to pour forth from our lives. When we understand this, we will
understand the reason Jesus instructed us to be “kind to the
ungrateful and the wicked.” It is simply because this is how God
has treated us. Reflect, today, upon the unlimited love God has for
you. It is beyond what you could ever comprehend.
Reflect, also, upon the great benefit there is in opening yourself
to God’s perfect love, kindness, generosity and mercy. The benefit
is that you are able to be filled with that which you receive. And
as you receive this love of God, it necessarily overflows into the
lives of everyone you encounter, the good and the wicked. Everyone
must always be offered this love. Do not hesitate, for God
does not hesitate with you.
Most merciful Lord, You bestow Your abundant goodness upon all
people, the good and bad alike. You never cease offering Your love
and mercy. May I always be counted among those who fully open
themselves to Your grace, and may I always offer this same depth of
love to all. Jesus, I trust in You.
Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.com
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Matthias Grünewald, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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