"Lintik lang ang walang ganti!" is a Filipino proverb that translates to "I shall exact my vengeance." When we think of this statement, we typically think of getting back at the person who wronged us by using unjust and undesirable measures. But Jesus wanted us to go the other way.
We are on the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, and today's gospel encourages loving those who have offended you. Yet, how can you love someone who has wronged you? Isn't it confusing?
Consider yourself a doctor who is on call when a patient who is in dire need of medical care is taken to the emergency room. But this man happens to be your family's enemy, for he committed wrongdoing against your father. He was the one who dismissed him for allegedly disclosing trade secrets to a rival, which is why your father is depressed. Would you attend to him right away, putting aside your feelings of resentment, or would you ask another doctor on duty to do so? Or, you may take care of him, but rather than providing care, you would prolong his misery and withhold assistance in an effort to exact retribution.
How challenging is it to show love and forgiveness to people who have wronged us? The gospel for today emphasizes modesty. It provides a glimpse of what it means to imitate God, who is merciful and compassionate. Although today's readings emphasize volume, the issue of being perfect in God's eyes is not one of intelligence and skill but rather of loving and forgiving those who have wronged you.
Though it may be a difficult concept to grasp, one must develop to this degree of maturity in order to understand what God wants for His people. Let's practice forgiving, praying for, and loving those who have wronged us; doing so is acceptable in God's eyes.
Arvin Valencia | OLA Social Communications
