The advice that Jesus gave to his disciples is just as relevant today - two millenia later - than it was at the time when he first offered it. We have a prime example in today's gospel passage. Jesus knew very well that the society they were living in was very self-centred. In some ways it had to be, especially when it came to those who had been oppressed, but he challenged his disciples to adopt a different attitude: one of surprising generosity.
You have heard it said, 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you ... if anyone wants to go to court with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well (Mt 5:38, 40). Someone who thinks that he or she is taking advantage of another will think twice if the response to oppression is surprising generosity, but this is the way that our God acts with us: when we think according to human standards, there is always a tendency to remain focused on self-preservation, but God thinks far beyond the confines of our reasoning.
Today, dare to ask for the grace to think like God thinks. Dare to stretch your horizons if you can so that you can begin to look beyond the limits that you may be used to. Consider the possibility that responding to life with surprising generosity is possible because our God always responds to us with such limitless generosity.
Have a great day.
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