Measure it rightly (Lk 6:27-38)

The last few lines in a familiar selection from Luke's gospel can be interpreted in both a positive and a negative way.  In a negative way, the message is a stark prediction of dire consequences for those who mistreat others. Layer on the first part of the message and the prediction seems even more ominous: “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned…For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Lk 6:37-38).  The message is easy enough to understand—we’ll get back the hate and rejection that we foist on others, and we ourselves will stand condemned in the way that we condemn others.

Viewed in a more positive light, however, the message offers a great deal of hope.  The more hopeful part comes when Jesus says, “Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure…overflowing, will be poured into your lap. Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Lk 6:37-38).  In other words, we receive back in full measure the good that we do for others, especially when we show mercy. 

We often interpret this message as a command that Jesus imposes on his followers, when in fact the message is not an imposition but a responsibility and a principle by which to live the Christian life.  And, living by this principle is surely within our power.  Otherwise, Jesus would not have offered the example of one who listens to his commands and acts on them. That is the one who first cleans out his or her own house, for without that step, we cannot remove the log from the other’s eye.

The possibility of this choice is what motivates St. Paul’s instruction in his letter to the Ephesians.  Paul urges us to live in a manner worthy of our calling by deliberately riding ourselves of “all bitterness, fury, anger, and shouting…along with all malice.” Paul tells us to replace these with kindness toward one another, being compassionate and “forgiving one another as God has forgiven us…” (Eph 4:31-32).

These words describe the heart and soul of Jesus’ life and mission.  He went about doing good works born of his love for others and his faithfulness to the will of God.  Jesus even drives out demons and cures physical illness on the Sabbath.  His aim is to show that caring for the physical and spiritual health of others is right regardless of what day it is.  This is the nature of genuine love, and love is the proper motivation for good works. 

But, sometimes, we are weary and tired.  We feel like Job.  Our days are drudgery and our nights are sleepless.  No one shows us any gratitude or appreciation.  No one seems to care.  We are like worker bees with no rest and no hope.  We need physical and spiritual strength to do good works.  Jesus understands this and wants to give us rest.  He invites all who labor and are weary to come to him, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Mt 11:27-29). 

Prayer is one way to accept his invitation.  Jesus shows us that prayer is a good way to find the strength we need.  Jesus often prayed in solitude to his Father.  He too needed physical and spiritual strength to carry out the work the Father gave him.  And through these solo prayer sessions with God, Jesus received the strength he needed.  The same holds for us, but how we draw strength from God through prayer we do not know, any more than we know how a tree draws life from the soil in which it is anchored.

There is a passage in the first letter of Timothy that summarizes all of this in a very clear and powerful manner.  That passage reads like this: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Tim 6:17-19). 

As always, God does not impose.  He asks and we respond.  The question is, how shall we respond, for the measure with which we measure will in return be measured out to us.  God trusts us to make the right measure.