Pastor's Corner: What in the world does Jesus want for us?

The Scripture readings for this Sunday, Feb. 20, are as follows:

First Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:45-49

Gospel Reading: Luke 6:27-38

The gospel reading from Luke 6: 27-38 is part of Luke's "Sermon on the Plain," a kind of mirror of Matthews "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5:1-12), but with more serious implications for those of us who call ourselves Christian. Love our enemies, turn the other cheek, if someone takes from you give them more, stop judging, stop condemning, forgive and you will be forgiven ...

If I were to take seriously these teachings of Jesus, I would fail miserably at being Christian. Is it even possible to live these teachings? Has the Christian Church ever been able to live these teachings? Wouldn't the church be destroyed if we were to take these teachings seriously? We would lose everything. We would be a not so fond memory in the history of humanity. We would be nothing but a rug for people to walk on and a weak and pitiable people. What does history have to say about the church trying to live out these teachings of Jesus?

The first three hundred years of Church history is, in my opinion, the most profound time in all church history. Think about it. After Jesus' passion, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven the church consisted of a few followers whose faith could be questioned because of the way they responded to Jesus' passion and death - denial and desertion. But they persevered with the help of the Holy Spirit. The same Holy Spirit available to us today.

They not only persevered - they prospered and grew. What is so amazing about this is the fact that they were severely persecuted during this time - by everyone. To become a Christian meant putting your life and the lives of those you loved at stake. The Christian community had no political power, no civil power, no military power they were a disenfranchised people. They did have faith, hope and love and this must have been the key.

In that first three hundred years they used their God-given faith, hope, love and the power of the Holy Spirit to actually live out the teachings Jesus presented in the Gospel reading listed above. When persecuted they forgave and rejoiced that they were found worthy of persecution. When struck they would turn the other cheek and rejoice that they were found worthy of abuse because of their faith. They gave away their possessions so they would have nothing that would hold them back from loving God and their neighbor. These early Christians participated fully in society while knowing this was not their final home. They lived fully in the now giving themselves totally knowing their reward would be great in heaven. They lived because they knew no one could take away their faith in God and the Good News of Jesus resurrection. They lived as though they had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

The world noticed how these Christians lived and the love and respect they showed to all people. Probably more than that, they saw the joy and hope Christians exuded. The world saw this, and they wanted the freedom these Christians lived in.

Because of this Christian witness, the church grew and began to influence the Roman world. Because of this influence, Christianity was made the religion of the state of Rome. Some historians look at this event and say it was the best thing that could have happened to the church. Others look at this event and say it was the worst thing that happened to the church. You make your own decision.

At the present time, I keep hearing how the Christian faith is struggling. Fewer people are in church on Sundays. More and more people saying the Christian faith is irrelevant. All of this leads me to ask a question: If the early Christians could live the teachings that Jesus laid out in the Sermon on the Plain, why can't we now?

The more I learn about my Catholic Christian Faith the more questions I have.

Blessings

Deacon Tim Maroney

St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church