Neh 8:1-41,5-6, 7b-12
Lk 10:1-12
The cutting edge of our faith is this teaching of Jesus - Love your enemies.
That teaching alone encompasses forgiveness and compassion.
I call it the cutting edge of our faith because precisely that teaching cuts and opens up our convictions in the teaching of Jesus.
If "Love your enemies" is the cutting edge, then the forward thrust of our faith is this teaching of Jesus in today's gospel - I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.
I call it the forward thrust because Christianity by nature is not passive ; it is active ; it is missionary.
And it moves out, not into friendly territory, but into hostile lands, into places where Christianity is not welcomed.
It is precisely in the forward thrust of being sent like lambs among wolves that we have to use to use the cutting edge of loving our enemies and returning good for evil.
So Christianity is not a joy ride in a theme part, in that it looks dangerous, but actually it is quite safe.
No, Christianity is about blood, sweat and tears, and the stories of the martyrs, saints and missionaries tell us that.
Yet, despite the fear of the wolves and the repulsion of loving our enemies, we are assured of this.
The joy of the Lord is our stronghold, the joy of the Lord is our strength.
The Lord will go with us to face the wolves, and with His love, they will change from ravenous wolves into meek lambs.