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The gospel today (Lk 6:27-38) is the continuation of Jesus’ sermon on the plain in which He challenges his followers in treating one’s enemies in particular. The non-judgmental, non condemnatory, pardoning and generous posture is a clear trait of Lucan Jesus, a positve attitude of love for enemies that naturally flows to generosity in giving. This theme of mercy and generosity is central to Luke, repeatedly noted in Jesus’ comportment and teaching (7:11-17, 36-48; 14:12-24).
The phenomenon of forgiveness in the Bible is complex and multi-faceted and employs a broad range of semantic material in both testaments. But a consistency of usage is noticable throughout Scripture when applied to God: that forgiveness is something that may be obtained from Him, flowing freely as it does from his being. It is his nature to be forgiving (cf. Neh 9:17; Ps 130:4; Dan 9:9).
In Luke it is interesting to note that he used the verb ‘apolyõ ‘ (ἀπολύω), which literally means ‘loose (from)’ and connotes the sense of ‘let go, release, send, divorce’. Only here (out of 9 occurences) it is translated as ‘forgive’. According to scholars the verb has an economic force; in that sense it fits well with the Lucan teaching in 6:27-39. It teaches a new ethic, a new way of dealing with one another that goes beyond normal, business-like and expected reciprocity.
Time and again we hear Jesus challenging teaching on forgiveness and pardon. As illuatrated by David to Saul (1 Sam 26:2-23), it was basically an expression of respect, a first step toward, but hardly co-extensive with, Jesus words on total forgiveness. Luke further points, in general, to boundless charity without expecting recompense (from others, as the usual ethic of reiprocity dictates; but from God it will be super-abundant v.38) and in particular, unlimited forgiveness in the face of hurt or opposition. And this is what Christian love is, the spirit of Jesus himself, the Christian holiness where God’s own nature is reflected in human conduct: “ He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes” (Ps 103:1-13). In that constitutes our ‘otherness’, making us different from non-disciples: “This is how all will know you are my disciples”, (John 13:35).
