Luke 6:32-38 NRSVue
32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
How demanding Jesus is in the first part of this Gospel! My heart must be enlarged until it is as wide as the heart of Jesus himself. As a Christian, I must not think of anyone as an enemy. Instead, like God, I must have space in my heart for everyone. I pray deeply for this grace, which goes far beyond my human capacity.
Reflection
But how gracious Jesus is in the second part of the Gospel. Since God never holds my sins against me, I must not hold the wrong-doings of others against them. I need not worry about my sins and faults if I forgive those who offend me.