Col 3:12-17 / Luke 6:27-38
We read in the New Testament that we have to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect ..." (1 Peter 3:15)
So it goes without saying that we must be able to explain why we believe in what we believe; at least we must be able to sound logical and reasonable.
Yet we are also confronted with the hard teaching of Jesus in today's gospel, we may find ourselves saying "That is too difficult" or "I am not able to do this" or simply "How can?!?!"
But just as good things don't come for free, the truth won't come as easy.
Yet as disciples of Jesus, we are chosen in truth and in turn we too must choose the truth.
And the truth in today's gospel is that when we give ourselves wholly to the truth, we too will be given the freedom that comes from the truth.
And by the amount of commitment we give to the truth, that amount of freedom in the truth we will be given back.
As the 1st reading puts it, we are God's chosen race and His saints. We should be clothed in sincere compassion, kindness and humility, gentleness and patience.
Over and above everything else, we must put on love. Love is the answer and the reason when we love our enemies and do good to those who hate us, when we bless those who curse us, when we pray for those who treat us badly.
If that is not love, then any other answer is not going to logical or reasonable.