Jesus said to his disciples: "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. - Lk 6;27-28
Friends, God is good, all the time!
God's common sense often strikes us as full of contradictions when we compare it with rational logic. But, if we look beyond the veil of all that happens in life, we realize that no contradictions are found in God and our experiences with Him. Indeed, what common sense dictates as contradictions tend to work better for us.
There are many contradictory demands from Jesus in today's gospel. He tells his disciples, " love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well” (Lk 6:7:27). Every one of these demands goes against human logic. And yet, when we consider them and apply them to our daily lives, we free the world of disharmony and aggressions.
Jesus also tells us to give without expecting back so that we can have more. This also seems inconsistent with what we know of how the world operates. Common sense tells us that if we want more in life, we must keep adding to it. We don't give what we have away. Yet, when we put Jesus' words into practice, we discover that the joy and satisfaction of giving to others are more rewarding and gratifying than what we receive from others.
God's common sense is like bright rays of sunshine behind the gloomy clouds. Some things happen to us that contradict our expectations and wishes. But when these happen, it is essential to look beyond the contractions and hope that they will end up serving us well. God is always in control of circumstances and events. He will turn them to our good. Prayer blessings: Father, I thank you for your power at work in the world. Lead me to discover that you make all things work for good for those who love you and that, nothing you have put together for my life will fail. Amen.