Both St. Matthew and St. Luke include a long sermon by Jesus on the new way of behavior for those who would be his followers. Matthew says the sermon was given “on the Mount” and Luke “on level ground.” Jesus challenges our ordinary way of operating in American society. Ten years or so ago the word “transactional” became part of contemporary vocabulary. The idea: in every interaction there has to be something in it for me. Jesus holds out a new ideal: radical charity. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. Jesus reminds us that all that we have is gift, that God blesses us just as we are before we do anything. There is no transaction with God since we can do nothing to merit the divine love freely bestowed upon us. As Christians our effort is to Be compassionate, just as also your Father is compassionate. The Christian lifestyle challenges us every day to become a little closer to the ideal Jesus holds out for us.
