Do you think this is good advice, or not? [Spirituality & Religion]

[b]Today's Gospel reading:[/b]

[b]Luke 6: 27-38[/b]

Jesus said to his disciples: "To you who hear me, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you and pray for those who maltreat you. When someone slaps you on one cheek, turn and give him the other; when someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well. Give to all who beg from you. When a man takes what is yours, do not demand it back. Do to others what you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, how can you claim any credit? Sinners do as much. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what merit is there in it for you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

"Love your enemy and do good; lend without expecting repayment. Then will your recompense be great. You will rightly be called sons of the Most High, since he himself is good to the ungrateful and the wicked.

"Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Pardon, and you shall be pardoned. Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you."

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I have to wonder, was this not meant to be taken literally? Was Jesus exaggerating to make a point? If not, this seems far too much to ask of anyone. Actually, I was raised to be this way, and it has not served me well at all. I have tried to show mercy to people who have hurt me, but I haven't been shown much mercy in return. I've tried to refrain from judging those who have hurt me most, but I have felt judged by them.

I know that there is much wisdom to be found in the Bible, and I do agree with the part about doing unto others as you would have others do unto you. But I have to admit, I was a bit troubled when I heard this Gospel reading today. What are your thoughts about this?

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MaryJanine · 61-69, F

Never mind what the Bible says. Here's what I say.

A slap in the face always hurts. Not just the physical force of it. But the humiliation if done in front of friends or family. The damage it can do to a human being is terrible. You can get black eyes. Noses, teeth, other facial bones can get broken.

My father used to slap my stepsister in the face when she was in the teenage stage of talking back. She was lucky she never came out with facial bruises or broken teeth, but I can still hear my father saying, "Keep your teeth in your mouth! You got a pretty face and I wouldn't want to mess that up!"

Let's be fair. That was probably alcohol talking. Still, at the age of eight or nine, it terrified me no end. My stepsister was an outspoken teenager and said what she thought. At the time this went on, a slap in the mouth was supposed to be "good discipline". But, for the reasons mentioned above, researchers are reversing their studies on this.

TeresaRudolph71 · 51-55, F

@MaryJanine Oh gosh, I'm so sorry that your stepsister had to suffer to much at the hands of your father. I'm sure that was terrifying for both of you. I'm glad you both survived. I agree, the humiliation can be just as bad as the physical pain, especially when this is done in front of other people, including extended family, or friends.

MaryJanine · 61-69, F

For my first twenty years, my father drank all night, every night. Then he quit, cold turkey. By that time my stepsister had moved out, gotten married and was the mother of two. But the remaining nineteen years of his life was like night and day. He was a loving father and grandfather and husband. Even when my mom died nine years after he stopped, he didn't return to the booze. For which I was eternally grateful.

TeresaRudolph71 · 51-55, F

@MaryJanine Oh wow. I'm so glad that your father quit drinking, and that he changed after that and never started drinking again. I have heard that alcohol can do terrible things to people.

MaryJanine · 61-69, F

Alcoholism is a dirty disease. I don't know who or what convinced him to stop, but he did and I was glad. Alcohol is a poison to our family - it seemed like the male members spent their time getting loaded at any family gathering or reunion, while the female members cleaned up and waited for the time to take the miscreants home.

TeresaRudolph71 · 51-55, F

@MaryJanine I've heard that there is a hereditary element in the tendency toward alcoholism. I'm sorry to hear that your family has had to go through that.

MaryJanine · 61-69, F

I never knew my grandfathers. Dad's father died before he and my mom were married, and I remember Mom saying her father was an alcoholic - so badly so that Grandma finally left him. But several of my great-uncles and first cousins made up for their absence by getting reeling drunk - thank God they had wives or girlfriends to take them home that stayed sober for the entire gathering. My brothers and I don't drink - I don't like the taste and the boys never took it up either. Maybe we have broken the chain.

TeresaRudolph71 · 51-55, F

@MaryJanine Yes, I hope you have broken the chain. It looks hopeful that you have.