Once again Jesus turns conventional norms into a topsy-turvy teaching in today’s Gospel reading. And how He does so, specifically regarding concrete and practical matters such as loving and greeting.
The metaphors of sunlight and rainfall used by Jesus bring the message across very clearly. In the new dispensation already long since inaugurated by Jesus, we cannot be selective and “distinctive” (in the sense of making discriminatory distinctions) in our love anymore. The Israelites from of old would love their countrymen and “hate” their enemies. This second verb, by the way, is often misunderstood in the literal sense of hatred. But it simply meant that Israelites were allowed to prioritize their love for their own, and then apply a lesser love on the rest. (What a peculiarity!)
The new law being promulgated now by Jesus mandates plainly that we love our enemies. Period. No ifs, no buts; no questions, no conditions.
In any case, should we fall short of such radical ideals taught by Jesus, we do ourselves a favor by not watering down or sugar-coating them. We need not despair if we don’t attain to such ideals. In the words of popular Christian writer Philip Yancey, “[Jesus] gave [the Sermon on the Mount] to impart to us God’s Ideal toward which we should never stop striving, but also to show that none of us will ever reach that Ideal. The Sermon on the Mount forces us to recognize the great distance between God and us, and any attempt to reduce that distance by somehow moderating its demands misses the point altogether” (The Jesus I Never Knew).
Yes, Jesus indeed turns our standards topsy-turvy. But it’s OK. We will not attempt to put them back in order. Fr. Martin Macasaet, SDB
Reflection Question:
Jesus’ teachings vs. the world’s teachings: Which do you follow?
Make me Your faithful disciple, Lord. May Your teachings be always the standard for my life.
St. Mark of Lucera, pray for us.
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