HOW TO FORGIVE?

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C Luke 6:27-38 Let me start with this story: From his death bed, the husband called his wife and said, "One month after I die I want you to marry Samy." "Samy! But he is your enemy !" "Yes, I know that! I've suffered all these years so let him suffer now ." Smiling, shaking hands, hugging our friends is very easy. Everybody can do that. It is easy to love people who are lovable right? But how about those unlovable? “if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?” How are we to treat them? First, do good to them, second, bless them and third, pray for them. Inshort, we have to return mercy. As St. Thomas Aquinas once said: “Mercy is love’s second name.” Friends, loving our enemies is the perfect path towards perfection. It is difficult but its not impossible. It is contrary to human nature but that is what He demanded of us. Try it! It is liberating. What should be our behaviour towards difficult people? Three points I wanted to share with you today. First, our gospel is telling us not to take revenge. “If your enemies are hungry feed them, if they are thirsty give them something to drink. Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that. Doing good must be our sweetest revenge for love is the weakess of the devil. Second, we are encourage to pray for someone who does not like us. Some people are unreasonable, illogical and self centered. Pray them anyway. If we wish to take revenge do it by praying. Friends put smile in your prayers too. When someone curses you, smile. When someone hates you, smile. When someone persecute you and say ill-words against you, smile. Going to church for worship but not forgiving someone is a fake worship. Loving God yet hating our enemies is hypocrisy. Love is shown in deeds not in words. Life is like an echo. We get what we give! “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Whenever we are confronted with an opponent conquer them with love. Friends, keep loving your renemies for love is the force that capable of transforming an enemy to a friend. Finally, think of this: enemies are angels sent by God to show his love and mercy. Enemies are chance and opportunity for us to enter the gate of heaven. Be kind to the unkind because they need it the most. Loving our enemies and those who hurt us is never easy. But Jesus usually does not ask us to do the easy thing; he asks us to do whatever brings about the most love. Blessings Fr. Jhack