2nd Monday of Lent (March 17). TO YOU THAT LISTEN

Prepare to Listen.  Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud, be gracious to me and answer me!
 
Prayerfully Read Luke 6:27-36
27‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  29If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.  30Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.  31Do to others as you would have them do to you.  32‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  35But 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 is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.  36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
 
Prayerfully Wonder and Reflect
I was often taught that we get what we deserve.  Thus, I was shocked (and still am, to be honest) to read Jesus say that God “is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”  What most challenged or shocked you in these verses?
 
When asked if he believes in God, Tomáš Halík responds with, “I do—but perhaps not in the God you have in mind.”[1]  I could say that about the kingdom.  I believe in it, but is it the kingdom Jesus had in mind?  The Kingdom Jesus preached and lived “was all about a glorious, uproarious, absurd generosity.”[2]  It shows kindness and mercy to all, deserving and undeserving alike.  God is so much bigger and more generous than we can imagine, and it’s how Jesus expects his followers to live.

To you that listen, begins his list of nine commands, not to earn God’s favor, but to shape our hearts as we listen, that is, take to heart and live them.  In 199 words Jesus describes God’s Kingdom plan.  If you can’t remember all 9, focus on the last one: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”  Another command to be compassionate.  His plan begins[3] by making clear to whom we are to be merciful—the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the rejected.  These are the blessed, and when we’re merciful to them, we’ll share their blessing.  This is Jesus’ plan.  It’s costly, unpopular, even absurd in its generosity and kindness to all.  But it’s the only way to follow Jesus.
 
Who are the poor, hungry, weeping, rejected in your community.  They are the blessed.  How can you support them and show them the mercy of our Lord?
 
Prayerfully Respond
Lord, may the way I live my life give others a more accurate picture of you, and your Kingdom.  Where I can, help me show mercy to those who most need it today.  Amen.
 
Live obediently.  Listen and be merciful as God is merciful.
[1] Halík, Tomáš.  The Afternoon of Christianity.  Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press.  2024, p. 7.
[2] Wright, N. T.  Luke for Everyone.  Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.  2001, p. 73.
[3] In vv. 20-26.  See also 1st Saturday and 2nd Sunday of Lent.