But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger.
Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you, when all men speak well of you,
      for so their fathers to the false prophets.
Luke 6: 24-26 [KJV]

I let my Bible fall open and found myself reading the Sermon on the Mount, Luke 6: 32-34 [KJV]. I was surprised by these verses that immediately followed the Beatitudes. How could Jesus say these things? Especially after all those "Blessed are they" verses! Then, I read further verses and found:

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners love those that love them.
And if you do good to those who love you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners do the same.
And if 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.

Astonished and reading yet more, I came to Luke 6: 35-36 [KJV]:/p>

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;
and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High;
for He is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

And now I came to Luke 6: 37-38 [KJV], the elegant words of admonition and compassion that Jesus held so dear were the essence of His teachings:

Judge not, and you will not be judged;
condemn not and you will not be condemned
forgive and you will be forgiven;
give and it will be given to you; good measure,
pressed down and running over, will be put in your lap.
For the measure you give will be the measure you get back.

There is so much in these few words that provide a simple, sweet and gentle guidance for us to pattern our lives after: Live humbly with love, compassion and unselfishly. As I grow older and am beset with more physical evidence of my mortality, I find myself wishing that these teachings should be more greatly emphasized in our daily lives and perhaps there might be lessening of war and violence, prejudice and hatred, penury and usury, ego and attitude, rebellion and discord. Replacing these might truly be actions and reactions more reflective and thoughtful, kind and selfless, loving and compassionate.

Easter is the time for renewal. Renewal of heart and mind and spirit. This is our opportunity to bring into our daily lives all the teachings of Christ that He embodied when He died for us.

Let us pray . . .
Dear Lord and Savior,
guide us to accept ourselves and to accept others
as You have taught us so very long ago and
have yet to absorb into our daily lives;
grant us the capability to be compassionate
and selfless and loving to others
without thought of reward or recompense of any sort.
We beg for the enlightenment to understand
that we are living models of what You want us to be
and to bring into practice Your teachings in our very lives.
AMEN

Contributed by Michael
Sunday April 8, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 19