Christian minimum
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Interpreting today’s Gospel reading (Luke 6: 31-36) I would like to emphasize: on the one hand, the theoretical simplicity of the Christian struggle and life, and on the other – the need for real, personal and great struggle in fulfilling the evangelical commandments of Christ.
The explanation that follows mainly refers to the usual interpersonal relationships.
As, what could be simpler than this commandment: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise”?
Would you like others to wish you harm? Then do not accept harmful thoughts about anyone in your heart!
Would you like others to speak badly about you? To call you, for example: liars or thieves, or immoral, or theologically illiterate, or heretics? Therefore do not gossip, judge, and condemn your neighbours! Be careful with judgment even when faced with real situations or occurrences, let alone with condemnation for something that has not happened!!!
Would you like someone to do something bad to you? Then do not do wrong to anyone.
What could be theoretically simpler than this? And, this is just a Christian minimum.
But in practice, we need to make a great effort to control our thoughts, words, and deeds. Certainly, gradually and with the help of God’s grace, we will succeed. No one has instantly become a saint, a venerable one, but with a continuous struggle over many years in vigilance over yourself in fulfilment of the commandment of love towards our neighbours; with an ascetic endeavour. And certainly, under the supervision of a spiritual father, inside the Church.
There is also a situation from a wider ecclesiastical context, which goes beyond the usual personal relationship, when the Bishop must take certain pedagogical measures in order to establish the canonical order in the Church. This also happens sometimes, but it is an act of reasoning (contemplation) for the good of the Church – in accordance with the economy or the acrimony of the canons, and it is not a stipulation for personal justice, i.e. return with evil for evil. And these are measures only for the members of the Church; not for those outside the Church. It seems, some “believers” do not understand this.
Furthermore, the Lord warns us in this Gospel reading not to deceive ourselves only with “love of interest”: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them!” With such a spiritual, sentimental “love,” Christians cannot be fundamentally different from this world and to be the likeness of their Lord.
That which makes us true Christians, that which separates us from this world – which lies in evil, and that which frees us from sin, the devil, and death – is the fulfilment of Christ’s command: “… love your enemies, and do good to them; and lend- hoping for nothing in return.”
In practice, this means not responding to evil with evil, but with good. Responding with evil would mean multiplying evil in our lives and in the world. And that is exactly what the demon is waiting for: to find some evil in us to make us defiled and to put our lives under his control.
The evil within us tears us down, and not the one against whom it is directed. If we respond to the evil they do to us with good, then we protect ourselves from demonic influence, and we leave our enemy time, opportunity, and even the strength to repent.
Let us strive, through spiritual development, to reach true love – Divine love.
It is another matter as to how we will respond to evil, in cases or situations where our action is related to the defence of our neighbours in moments when their physical or spiritual life is in danger.
Most Holy Theotokos, show us the way of humility and obedience …
Metropolitan of Strumica Naum
(30.10.2021 15:50)
