Reflections on a Hillside

“But I say unto you,
Love your enemies,
Bless them that curse you,
Do good to them that hate you, and
Pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you.”

Following Jesus often sounds foolish and foolhardy
in the face of the self-serving pragmatism of the world.

And yet, his way seems to me the only way the world can save itself from self-destruction.
The world has never seen so much material goods as in the present times;
and yet there are billions who survive on less than a dollar day.
Who will feed the hungry, clothe the naked and welcome the homeless?
Not the bankers or the brokers in Wall Street for sure;
but those who respond and resonate with the call of Jesus for love and generosity.

There has never been a more interconnected world than the one we live in now;
and yet we are kept apart from one another by so much
anger, hatred, violence and the desire for revenge and retribution.
Who will stop the cycle of violence so that we can live in peace and harmony?
Not world leaders who foment the anger and hatred among their own people:
but those who listen and follow the call of Jesus for love and forgiveness.

There world has never so much material comforts and luxuries as today;
and yet there has never been as pain, anguish and suffering in the world.
Who will ease the pain and bind the wounds to make us whole and holy again?
Not those who wallow in self-centered comfort or unconscionable luxury;
but those who take up their cross daily to live simple lives dedicated to loving and serving others.

Here is the Christ Challenge:
 “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? 
Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 
And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?
Do not even pagans do that? 
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”