In the 2nd Reading from 1 COR 15:45-49, Paul writes of Adam, “the natural” and of Jesus, “the spiritual”.  The reading concludes with the words, “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.”

In today’s Gospel from Luke 6, Jesus is speaking to the disciples and giving instruction that would have been even for them, challenging to say the least.  “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you”…”to the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well”…”for if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners love those who love them.” (LK 6:27,29,32)  How can we possibly love our enemies and aspire to do good to those who hate us?  If someone were to strike our cheek, wouldn’t we want to retaliate in the same manner towards them?  Who would be able to follow this teaching?  Who could love someone who does harm to them?  Who?…  Look up to the Cross.  Look up to Jesus who despite being betrayed by Judas, being denied by Peter, being cursed and spat on as He carried the Cross, being completely neglected and forgotten by us, willingly died on that Cross to save all of us from our sins.  It was Jesus who before He died, pleaded to God for our forgiveness.  It is Jesus, who in the confessional today, by His unrelenting love, forgives us our sins against Him.  It is Jesus, who in the Mass, gives His Body and His Blood so that we may be in full communion with His love.

Just as Paul is telling the people of Corinth, “we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.”  He is referring back to this teaching from Jesus.  We must love beyond all measure.  We must forgive without measure.  Not only to those who love and forgive us but also to those who hate or strike us.  Just as He does for us, even when we turn our backs on Him, or when we curse or strike Him with our words or our actions.  “We shall also bear the image of the heavenly one.”  Dear God, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the loving heart of Jesus, give us the strength to love and forgive without measure.  Amen!