Who would we want to be

This week’s passage is going to cause some angst amongst many of us. We could see it as a direct response towards the machinations of today, or an argument offered by Jesus at the very start of his ‘campaign’. Yes, political campaign as he opposed the political might of the imposing empire. Some may wish to keep it to church, but our faith is not limited by a building but all encompassing, yeah? This passage of Luke 6: 27-38 is largely replicated within the Gospel according to Matthew, with some omissions.

I heard of one person recently who did not listen to the news. They preferred to only chat with the locals, on the bus, in and around where they lived, and not hear the scary stories from ‘outta town’. It did sound quite idyllic. You could transport yourself to a country backwater and remain there, watching the river slowly passing by, not affected by anything happening in the ‘big smoke’. But, in reality, sorry <spoiler alert>, it doesn’t always work like that. As those in the dust belts of the US who felt that falling price of eggs and zero inflation was just too good to miss, they may not have picked up on the myriad of other changes to their country which were also mentioned. What we hear is often what we want to happen. But ‘who would we want to be‘ if we did have very low grocery prices and no price changes, year on year?

Sermon on the Plain, not Plane

In the account attributed to Luke in Luke 6: 27-38, Jesus has already run through his main campaign points, his pillars, memorable soundbites; but, he’s now onto a critical part of loving one’s enemies. You can imagine the crowd’s attention has now moved to their feet. They could cope with the Blessings and even a few Woes earlier, but it is all getting a bit pointed now, and personal.

Recall that the Jewish staple of Honour and Shame, often cited in the Old Testament is seen here as Blessings and Woes. Shame being that what we feel, not equivalent to Guilt, what we have done. Perhaps Blessings are also what we feel, and not what we have…

How does the Sermon on the Mount/Plain soundbites frame who we want to be, and possibly are?

The passage starts “But I say to you”… Hence, this is a contrary statement. It’s like if I were to say “the rich always get richer, but I say to you, that’s not how it should be“, you possibly can see that Luke (and in Matthew 5:44) are offering a countering statement which is to follow. What do they offer?

• Love your enemies;
• Pray for those who abuse you;
• Give to the one who strikes you;
• Give to those who ask of you. *

* Note that these clauses are heavily context sensitive. If a Roman soldier were to strike you with their right hand, for example, the idea was to allow them to hit with their other hand, which was deemed unworthy. A sense of provocation perhaps. And that might be the theme in all of this.

How do we love enemies in our polarised opposite world?

In recent weeks – it might feel like ages already – we have seen a pivotal transformation towards this polarism. Where extremes appear even further apart. Our online world appears now to co-exist but in separate echo chambers, where neither other group seek to dwell for they are not wanted there. When clashes occur, the use of ‘block’, criticise or ridicule come to the fore. I hear the call ‘Do not feed the trolls’ but I also hear the message of this Gospel passage that we can’t just hide away from our enemies.

If there is engagement, then we need to offer what they don’t expect.

Many of the opposing comments we might hear or read ‘appear’ to be ill-judged or ill-informed. That may be because of the sources of ‘news’ (supposedly truth) from which the comments are based upon. Then again, what sources do we use and trust for coming to our judgements?

How to love the person with the opposing view, when we also can have that opposing view?

Remember that they are a person: we come from a diverse, equitable world, where we love all, everyone is included. We could respond seeking to explore further the point that are being made. If the rhetoric is increased, and/or becomes personal, then, dependent upon our own wellbeing at that time, disengage and protect yourself as needed. But don’t ridicule the other. It’s difficult… I know. Just like the statement with the thrown fist, we are to offer, if possible, the other cheek (metaphorically).

If possible, we are invited to ‘keep in the discussion’. Invite in the person who has opposing views, to hear and explore them, and share your views, but not in a way that is confrontational. I listen to one who is of another persuasion. It’s revealing, surprising at times, but we often can see that we agree on far more than we originally thought even possible. Those who have that capability can ‘live’ within another echo chamber, and allow others to hear of the debate. Listen to them. We then don’t live in a ‘bubble’.

Framing the Debate

What this passage offers is a way of framing the main thrust of Jesus’ message. The Sermon on the Mount/Plain, dependent upon which Gospel you are reading (Matthew or Luke), offers, in a nutshell, the core tenets of how to be, not necessarily do.

We may often seek an answer to life, the elixir of everything, but it isn’t about what we do, but who we are.

In the US currently, conversation often revolves around their Constitution. Those who drafted and agreed that historic document initiated a journey where Americans have used this Constitution to govern various groups of people, relatively amicably over 2 centuries. Now, this Constitution is under attack. It would seem, at the time of writing, that the President can make significant changes to the operation of the Government, contrary to the Constitution – the legal beagles will resolve that one, eventually. What matters to us, is whether we can hold onto the ‘constitution’ of the Sermon on the Mount/Plain.

Those that are poor, those who are hungry, those that weep, those that are hated – they will be blessed. To you who are rich, those who laugh at others misery, or who receive praise when none is deserved, woe to you.

Who would we want to be?

How does the Sermon on the Mount soundbite frame who we want to be, and possibly are?