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."
[sep]
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?
[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."
[sep]
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?
51-55, F
