Essentially, our life consists of the physical and spiritual that we often do not see. Living within time and space, our preoccupation frequently concerns what gratifies the physical or the flesh and not what enriches the spiritual me. Imagine the level of transformation or self-enhancement that Saul could have if he worked as hard for spiritual goals as he did to catch David and, perhaps, kill him (1 Samuel 26:2-23). The sky will be the beginning of his exploits. But no! He didn’t care as much about posterity. He wanted to eliminate this little boy, David, who seemed to be standing on his way to remaining king in Israel, whether the people liked it or not.
Unfortunately, that’s our albatross, and it brings shame to us. We work more for the earthly or the physical, not the heavenly or the spiritual. However, while the physical aspect is crucial for our survival, we should not neglect the spiritual element, which enhances the life of our souls. That’s partly what St. Paul reinforces in the second reading from the letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 15: 45-49).
Consequently, unlike Saul, who left with dozens of soldiers to find David and perhaps kill him, today’s liturgy teaches us to learn to be like God, who is kind and merciful (Psalm 103:8a). St. Paul reiterated that we should go beyond the first Adam (the physical desires), who was merely a “living being to become life-giving spirits” (the spiritual goals) for, to us who hear this Word of God, among other things, we must learn to love everyone, including our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us (Luke 6:27-38). That’s how to become God’s children truly. If we love only those who love us, we are giving something for something and becoming transactional; it no longer fits into our commitment to the gospel message. The Latin uses the “Quid pro Quo” expression to qualify such a relationship.
Finally, today’s gospel caps our challenge in some carefully crafted lines with which I want us to align our lives. It says: “Stop judging, and you will not be judged. Stop condemning, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap (Luke 6: 27-38). For the measure with which you measure will, in return, be measured out to you.” These rules form part of the famous Golden Rule and significantly constitute what the law calls retributive justice. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!