Week 20 - Face to face with Jesus

Theme:

In the confrontations with people on His way, Jesus’ identity becomes ever clearer.

I try to see my own position in this more clearly and to remain with Jesus.

What I may wish to ask:

That I can remain faithful to Jesus in the middle of confrontations.

Music: Confi- te- mi- ni Domino, quo-ni-am bonus… Taizé

Confi- te- mi- ni Domino, quo-ni-am bonus…

Thank the Lord, for He is good…

Spotify Link:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7LogZeiKonutxNVZIMvWyz?si=c540fd9b0ebf4ec6

YouTube Link:

https://youtu.be/N_SouvyZ5v8?si=CCUpKwh5jvx7Ard9

Thank the Lord, for He is good. God is good and in this week’s Gospel story Jesus calls on us to also do good. Would this not be asking too much?

Luke 6, 27-36

Jesus is talking to His disciples. We may also listen. Try to find a place sitting nearby so that you can listen to Jesus while He talks to the disciples.

“But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your cloak do not withhold your coat as well. Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. 

It seems to be the world turned upside down. Do good to those who hate me, give more than I am asked. Jesus is calling us to be gentle. Not to be angry or seek revenge.

What effect does Jesus’ appeal have on me?

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“And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For 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? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 

Jesus is giving me a guidline to show me how I should treat other people. So as I want them to treat me. What is it that I would want? Is this what happens to me? But do I then follow Jesus’ advice to treat others in this way regardless of how `I myself have been treated?

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“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

If I act as Jesus is asking me to act, a precious reward awaits me: I will become a child of the Most High. Is this a reward for me? What do I imagine this to be like: a child of the Most High?

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Music: Confi- te- mi- ni Domino, quo-ni-am bonus… Taizé