The Most Terrible Page Ever Written: Luke 6:27-38

Christianity is the only true religion because it is the religion of boundless love: unconditional, selfless. This is the most difficult and at the same time the deepest and most marvelous and fundamental Christian tenant: "Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful."

What other religion in the world can say?

• love your enemies
• do good to those who hate you
• bless those who curse you
• pray for those who mistreat you
• turn the other cheek
• give your tunic as well to the thief of your cloak
• give to everyone who asks of you
• do not demand back from the one who takes what is yours

It is simply the perfect (i.e. divine) application of the Golden Rule:

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

• 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

The former is actually the implementation of the latter. But the fact is that our mercy is always first of all a response to the gift received. All Christ is saying in these words is to become God for others.

Acquire the mind, the heart , the habits of God. Do the works of God--be a giver not a taker. Spend yourself for others. That is the summary of God's involvement in the history of the world and in your particular history from beginning to the end and through eternity. It is all gift! And you, image of God that you are, you become what you are by giving for the glory of God and others.

And this is the greatest power--generous mercy; "Father, forgive them" is the last word: Mercy, not violence. Mercy will win the day.

That is the Great Miracle--the source of all others! and it is within the reach of all: the paradox of self-abandonment to the will of God. Give thyself! Where love is lacking, put love, and you will reap love. (Saint John of the Cross) Forget self. All for God in Christ. All for others. Just do it. That is the power behind every miracle! Mercy!