Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany: Gospel, Luke 6:27-38              

Luke 6:27-38

In the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew includes these words of Jesus, “ … be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48b). Luke, in recording the Sermon on the Plain brings these words, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Both statements begin with the verb, “be.” In other words, in your doing, do this. One demands perfection to the dictates of the Law and one exhorts us to remember mercy on those who fail those dictates. 

Two things: I must remember mercy toward others because I stand in need of the same. And second: mercy is to be shown not only to those who fail in the law of God, but toward those who go the extra mile in casting that law behind them. That amounts to cursing, abuse, bodily harm, and all manner of persecution. Mercy from the heart of God through us is to be pointed squarely at that type of mistreatment. Jesus gives his Word, receives all manner of abuse and then prays for those from whom it comes. That is our example and his Word and Spirit are the means of our empowerment. Be all that Jesus calls us to be. Because we can.