Sunday 23 February 2025
"Do to others as you would have them do to you." (v. 31)
Background
My online account at the county library allows me to find, renew or reserve books. It also gives me the chance to create a 'wish list' of books. My list has some books in preparation for a future trip, some from the planning list of a book group I belong to and others for which I need more time to read than I have at present. War and Peace is on the list and I do hope to read it one day!
Do you have any wish lists? What are your greatest wishes, hopes and dreams for your life? For your walk of faith?
Today’s reading from Luke's Gospel is from a section generally referred to as 'the Sermon on the Plain' (6:17). It intersects with our weekday readings from Matthew’s Gospel, known as 'the Sermon on the Mount' (Matthew 5:1). We note though that the word 'sermon' does not appear in either gospel.
Luke’s account is about a quarter of the length of Matthew’s and, although there is much shared material, the order of presentation and the emphasis vary. It is generally believed that the gospel writers wove together material from a common source and material known only to them to address the the congregation for which they wrote.
In today’s passage Jesus addresses his listeners' experience of being victims – hated, cursed etc. However he calls those living in the kingdom of God not to be shaped by this hostility. Rather they should respond with values such as love, forgiveness and generosity.
Do you have any experience of being a victim? How have you responded?
When Jesus says to his listeners, and to us, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (v. 31) he sets our imagination and generosity free to live in what the Swiss Bible scholar Pierre Bonnard called 'the inventiveness of love'. May that phrase capture your imagination.
Jesus' words shine a bright light and identify the places of shade.
To Ponder:
- 'In the shade': Is it possible that there are not only times and places where you are a victim but also where you victimise others? Consider if you are open to the creative and challenging life of the imagination that is the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
- 'In the light': I invite you in a portion of time and space, with fearfulness set aside, to be open to your imagination. Be open to what offers itself for the coming week and all that lies ahead.
Prayer
Lord, teach me to be generous. Teach me to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do your will. Amen. (St Ignatius of Loyola)
Bible notes author: The Revd Bob Sneddon
Bob Sneddon is a retired presbyter who lives on the south coast of England. He has had five varied circuit appointments over some 40 years and before that worked in India for a year. In retirement he is enjoying making a garden and walking.