Against The Grain

In a very challenging passage of Luke's Gospel, (Lk 6:27-38), we hear Jesus calling us to "go against the grain", to reverse our normal tendencies to judge, but rather to forgive, to lend, to help, to give until it hurts, in a word, to live a life graced and laced by MERCY.  These verses go straight to the heart and shake it loose from its sometimes self-centered and selfish foundations.  It calls us to be different from those who cling to following "the path of least resistance." If we put it into action, it means that we have understood that in order to be a Christian, we need to live as Jesus did as well as take his teachings seriously.  He is our model, and the saints after him, as St. Paul or St. Vincent de Paul and so many others,  took his words seriously and lived their lives accordingly.  There is enough food in this passage for more than a day's reflection, but rather, enough for the rest of our "journey home."  Let's begin today with one bite at a time.
Bro. Rene