For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you. (Lk 6:38b)
Jesus may have been the first to say it: “What goes around, comes around.”
Oh, sure, He said it more eloquently. However, His message was very clear.
“The measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
We expect so much from this life. We hope for so much. We dream for, long for, so much. Yet, there are many times that we find ourselves doing nothing but trying to bring about our own gain without regard for others.
Ann Landers had a saying that she would use every so often: “Time heals all wounds and time wounds all heals.” That was her way of saying, “What goes around comes around.”
If we want, if we dream, if we long for something, we should be willing to fulfill the longings and dreams of others as well. That is the heart of the “Golden Rule”: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
This all pretty much makes sense, does it not?
Well, as Emeril would say, Jesus “kicks it up a notch” when He tells the people that they should help all people, including their enemies.
We need to set our sites on bringing about the good for all people. It is in that way that we will prove ourselves, truly, to be children of our God.
FAITH ACTION: It is rather lengthy; but, the Gospel today is truly loaded. When you have time, read it slowly, carefully, and prayerfully:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then 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.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.” (Lk 6:27-38)