Luke 6 verse 27 to 38 “Jesus said to his disciples, to you who hear I saying, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well. And from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who ask of you. And from the one who takes what is yours, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them to do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that you? Even sinners lend to sinners and get back the same amount. but rather love your enemies and do good to them and lent expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful just as your father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you. A good measure packed together, shaken down, and overflowing will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will be the return be measured out to you.”

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Gospel message is about loving our enemies. Jesus teaches that we should love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. This teaching goes much deeper than simply forgiving someone.

Fr. Joseph Edattu VC explains that forgiveness is not complete until love is present. Some people may say they have forgiven others, but they still avoid them, dislike them, or feel irritated by them. Fr. Joseph says this shows that there is still a wound inside. True forgiveness means reaching the point where we can love the person who hurt us.

Fr. Joseph uses the example of a thorn in the hand to explain inner wounds. If there is a thorn in your palm, even a handshake can hurt. In the same way, if there is a wound inside us, certain people’s words or actions can easily irritate us. Our irritation often reveals that healing is still needed within us.

Fr. Joseph also explains that Jesus asks Christians to go beyond duty and be willing to give up their rights. When Jesus says to give not only your cloak but also your tunic, it means doing more than what is required. A Christian should not only fulfill their duty but also be willing to sacrifice personal rights out of love.

Luke 6: 28 -29 “Jesus said give to everyone who ask of you and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. And the Lord says if someone strikes you on one cheek offer the other one as well.”

When Jesus says to turn the other cheek, Fr. Joseph explains that it means being ready to endure more without taking revenge. This teaching is difficult because when someone insults or hurts us, our natural reaction is to defend ourselves or retaliate. However, Jesus calls us to respond with patience, love, and sacrifice.

Fr. Joseph honestly admits that these teachings are not easy for ordinary human strength. As human beings, it is very hard to love enemies, forgive deeply, and accept people who have hurt us. These teachings may feel impossible when we rely only on ourselves.

St. Paul says. “It is no more I who lives but Christ lives in me.”

Fr. Joseph explains that Jesus makes this possible through the Holy Eucharist. Jesus gives us His own Body and Blood so that we can be transformed. When we receive the Eucharist, Christ lives in us, and what is impossible for us becomes possible through Him.

Fr. Joseph says that the body is often weak even when the spirit is willing. We may want to forgive in our hearts, but our body and emotions resist. We may still feel anger, hurt, irritation, or revenge. This inner struggle shows that we need transformation through Christ.

Fr. Joseph emphasizes that receiving the Eucharist physically is important. Attending Mass online is not the same as physically receiving Holy Communion. He encourages people to attend Mass in church and receive the Body of Christ so they can be spiritually and physically strengthened.

Fr. Joseph also warns that unforgiveness, hatred, revenge, and unresolved wounds can grow into deeper inner suffering and even depression if they are not healed. True healing comes through allowing Christ to live in us, transform us, and help us forgive.

Overall, the main message is that Jesus calls us not only to forgive our enemies but to love them. This is extremely difficult by human strength alone. However, through the Holy Eucharist, Jesus gives us His Body and Blood so that He can live in us and help us forgive, love, and overcome inner wounds.