FRIDAY JUNE 5, LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY JUNE 5, LOVE WINS

Thoughts about love today.

I think I can confuse individual love with group and corporate love.  I say that I am compelled to love, that love wins, that I cannot hate.

I use the examples of “Turn the other cheek”, or “Go the extra mile”

Matthew 5:38-40 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.  If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.  If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.  Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as the true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.  If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”

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So, somebody that doesn’t like me, slaps me on my cheek?  Do I turn the other cheek?  Do I let them slap me again?

When I announced my transition in one of my groups, a member of that group (paraphrased) said “Take your sorry gay ass and leave this group”.  I didn’t say anything - everybody has his or her opinion (and I for sure had a lot of opinions and judgments!!)

I’m not sure if I am good at ‘turning the other cheek’.  I think I probably like the “eye for an eye” concept (or at least in the past).  You slapped me, I’m going to slap you.  

How about the ‘extra mile” concept.  If I’m sued and I lose my shirt - do I give them my coat too?  

There is an expression “Don’t let them take you to the cleaners” - (an online dictionary says: To take someone to the cleaners is to take most or all their money or cause them to lose their money through cheating them or some other nefarious means; to “clean someone out” financially either by dishonest means or in a court battle.”

At what point do I stop and say “enough”.  Let’s say somebody asks for my car (See: Give to those who ask and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow).  If somebody wants my car - do I give it to them?  Even if they just want to borrow it for a while?  

And, then the next part:

“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as the true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”

LOVE MY ENEMIES?  Hey, my enemy just slapped me on my cheek and I let him slap me on the other cheek!!  Hey, my enemy just took my shirt, and I gave them my coat.  And, now this radical Jewish rabbi from the first century says I am to LOVE my enemies?  And, not only LOVE them but to pray for them.  

If I do so, I’ll be a ‘true child of my Father in heaven?’  NOT FAIR GOD!!!  

I’m being asked to be a slug, a snail, something that gets stepped on - the “Coward of the County”.  When do I get to slap them back?  (NEVER).  When do I get to take their shirt? (NEVER), “When do I get to stand up for myself and my rights? (NEVER).

It still isn’t fair - but that’s okay!! 

This message is part of a longer message - the “Sermon on the Mound”

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth. 

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. 

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.\

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

This is pretty radical - humble, merciful,pure-hearted, doing right things, seeking justice? 

To me, I can’t do this.  It’s not fair.  

BUT, I’ve bought the concept - okay, I can do it - but only with God’s help!!!  I look at the prophet Jeremiah - he was really hated because of his announcement.  He was put into a cistern, and yet God protected him.  And, yes, the people who talked to, were taken to Babylon and kept in exile.  

Is there a lesson for me here?  Maybe?

“Don’t overthink this Karen!!!”

“Trust God”

AND … LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!

Karen