Perhaps one of the most difficult lessons to learn is forgiveness of those whom we consider our enemies, those who have wronged us. As challenging as this may be, the Gospel calls us to a very high standard: we must be merciful as God is merciful. If such perfection can become a reality in our lives, we will be able to forgive. Paul assures us that we can indeed attain such perfection, not by ourselves, but through the power of the risen Lord whose image we bear.
Paul plays with the theology of creation. In the beginning, we were made like the first Adam, earthly, limited, weak, concerned about the things of this world, and committed to our own well being. Through baptism we have been fashioned after the image of the second Adam, Christ the risen Lord. Being like Christ, we become godlike, empowered with his saving power, transformed with him into new beings. It is now in our power, which is really the power of the resurrection, to be merciful as God is merciful. In the risen Lord we experience a mystical transformation. From now on, all of our actions can flow from this new reality.
Transformed by the power of the resurrection, we are capable of unprecedented good works. We can live without retaliation; we can render good for evil. We can be prodigal in our generosity toward others; we can relinquish any rights of proprietorship that we might enjoy. We can live with others without unfairly judging them. We can be like God, boundless in our forgiveness. .
© © Dianne Bergant CSA - https://www.liturgyhelp.com/calendar/date/2025Feb23/0/RefDiBer