In this week’s passage from Luke’s gospel, Jesus surprises us by saying people who are now poor, hungry, weeping, and rejected are “blessed” or beloved by God. He offers reassurance that their struggles will not last forever, giving hope for a different and better future. Jesus further surprises us by saying “woe” or “watch out” to people who are currently rich, full, laughing and praised. He warns that these conditions are not permanent, that need and sorrow eventually find everyone. Jesus’ first listeners might have expected Jesus to pity or even criticize those struggling and to praise those who are content – but Jesus keeps surprising his audience, then and today.
Jesus goes on to really surprise us in the next verses by encouraging his followers to love the people who work against us, do good to people who hate us, wish good for people who wish us ill, and pray for people who treat us poorly. What is he thinking? Clearly, Jesus is thinking about a very different world than the one we inhabit. He’s inviting us to help create a world where we are securely grounded in the love of God that blesses everyone (even our enemies, people who hurt us, and people who have way too much). Jesus invites us to see each other with the compassion and care of God. To treat others as we would like to be treated.
This is a challenging passage. Jesus offers words of hope and justice, and Jesus is also asking us to do some very hard things. Jesus is asking us to try and love the people we encounter, without regard for who they are or how they treat us. Jesus calls us to a nearly impossible task – to look at each other with his compassion, his forgiveness, his love; to treat everyone as God’s beloved child. Unreasonable expectations? Maybe. Or perhaps Jesus invites us to join him in loving the world and surprise ourselves.
Peace,