Breaking the downward spiral
Robert Allan
February 26, 2025
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Luke 6: 29-30 (NRSVA)
29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
Jesus is getting ridiculous here, isn’t he? We’re going to walk away wounded, naked and stoney broke! I don’t believe Jesus asks us to get ridiculous. If someone takes my phone, I want it back again! And then somewhere along the line, we think a little more about what Jesus is saying. He is talking to poor people who lived with a daily experience of powerlessness in the face of forces much stronger than them. Jesus invites them, invites us, to change the narrative. Imagine responding to others in the way Jesus says. Can you see the look on their faces? Can you imagine them being troubled by your response for the rest of the day, perhaps longer, playing it over and over in their minds? Can you imagine their hearts being changed because of the way you acted? Suddenly Jesus’ words make sense. It is the only way to break the downward spiral of hatred and violence.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we pray for our divided world and especially for places where hatred and violence seem to have been forever ingrained in people’s lives, even in the lands which we call Holy and where your feet once walked. We pray for a new story to emerge, where neighbour loves neighbour, hand joins hand, and mutual respect is the order of the day. In our lives, Lord, and through your Church, may we reflect your awesome transforming love. Amen.
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