Delivered by Fiona from the Parish of Mary Queen of the Rosary in the Archdiocese of Makassar, Indonesia. Colossians 3: 12-17; Rs psalm 150: 1-2.3-4.5-6; Luke 6: 27-38.

BE GENEROUS LIKE THE FATHER

The title for our meditation today is:Be Generous Like the Father. A father and his son, an elementary school boy,entered the church to pray. The child then saw for some moments a large crossattached to the wall behind the altar and he wanted an explanation from hisfather. He said: "Who condemns Jesus to death on the cross likethat?" A few moments passed but his father had not responded because hewas still thinking the right argument in responding to the child.

Then the answer came like this:"Those who condemn Jesus to a very cruel and humiliating death are Hisenemies." And the father went on to ask: "Who are Jesus'enemies?" The child remembered what has been tought in religion class aboutthe passion story of Jesus, and he immediately responded: “His enemies aresinners and more specifically those who killed Him during his moments of trialand severe punishment to death."

This conversation of the father andhis child is extraordinary because it has important theological significance.Its importance is mainly related to the word of God of today, especially theGospel which is essentially about the the Lord’s command for us to be kind asour good Father in heaven. The kindness and generosity of the Father, thealmighty God, are revealed among many people who deserve it, particularly inthe acceptance and forgiveness of those who are against and hostile to God.

This generosity is demonstrated by thecrucified Jesus. Before dying on the cross, He forgave His enemies. Thisextraordinary act becomes a very basic teaching and example for us all asexpressed in the proclamation of the gospel of today. Our point is this, tothose who are hostile to us, those who behave badly or show hatred and revengeon us, our best Christian attitude is the attitude of Jesus Christ.

We can put this teaching into acomprehensive pattern of attitude, which starts by reconciling to ourselvesthat we accept and want to go through the suffering caused by our enemies. Ifwe escape it, avoid it or fight back as a way to defend ourselves, that isanother matter. But in accepting it, we do make it as Jesus' gift to us. Uponreceiving it, we need to complement ourselves with gentleness and patience, asSaint Paul says in the first reading, his letter to the Colossians.

In this attitude, as we are filledwith joy and strength from the Lord, the generosity then becomes a very nobleand great gift in us. From this generosity, comes our willingness and abilityto forgive. If one can forgive because he or she is generous as the Father inheaven, this forgiveness is truly genuine.

Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord, increase in us the grace to forgive those who are againstus. Our Father who art in heaven... In the name of the Father ...