Thursday of 23rd Week, Year II: reflection
Reading: Lk 6:27–38
Some videos of certain Christians wielding machetes of different sizes, iron bars, clubs and other weapons of war at prayer sessions and calling out their enemies circulated widely on Facebook few months ago. Those Christians were responding ‘Amen’ and hitting their weapons on the floor following the prayer call of their pastors that those they saw as the enemies of their progress and those who didn’t want to help them materially/financially, including wicked landlords, stingy uncles and relatives, wicked husbands and wives, and ungenerous employers, should die.
After watching those embarrassing video clips of what was considered as prayer sessions, I wondered if those Christians still understood the teachings of the One through whom they were making their prayers, especially His teaching regarding relationship with enemies.
It should also be noted that what was seen in those video clips is just a tip of what goes on in many prayer houses and ministries. Nowadays, any man/woman of God who does not command fire to destroy enemies is not considered a true man/woman of God, and will consequently have fewer members. Every prayer is about calling God to destroy those suspected as enemies.
Dear friends, one of the things that distinguish Christianity from other religions is the quality known as grace. Our God is gracious to both the good, the wicked and the ungrateful, and commands us to show the same grace-filled attitude to others, treating them not as we think they deserve, but as He would treat them, i.e., with love, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and tolerance. It is this message that is central in today’s gospel passage. Here, Jesus invited all who call upon His name to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them and pray for those who abuse them, for the measure they use for others will be the measure God will use for them. As challenging as Jesus’ commands are, He and His disciples demonstrated how to carry them out.
Loving enemies doesn’t mean not seeking justice against aggressors, but for Christians, it doesn’t include using the name of Jesus or the Holy Ghost as a missile to destroy them. So, any Christian gathering in which Jesus is called upon to kill our fellow human beings has lost the grace-filled behavior commanded by Jesus, and true Christians will be wary of identifying with such a gathering.
May your efforts this Thursday be blessed, Amen
Fr Isaac Chima