Anointed to Love: Living Out God's Mercy in a Challenging World - 29 September 2024

Today we reflect on two powerful passages that speak to the heart of our Christian faith and how we are called to live it out.

In 2 Corinthians, Saint Paul reminds us that it is God who establishes us in Christ, who has anointed us, sealed us, and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. This beautiful imagery speaks to the profound reality of our baptism and chrismation. We are not mere passive observers in the faith, but active participants, sealed and anointed for a purpose.

Yet Paul goes on to describe the anguish and affliction he experienced in his ministry. He speaks of writing "out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears." This reminds us that the Christian life, while filled with joy and the presence of the Holy Spirit, is not devoid of struggle and pain. Our anointing is not for comfort, but for service and love, even when it's difficult.

This brings us to our Gospel reading from Luke, where Christ gives us a challenging command: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Our Lord sets before us a high standard indeed – one that goes beyond mere human capabilities. 

He tells us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This "Golden Rule" is found in many cultures, but Christ takes it further. He calls us not just to reciprocate good behavior, but to initiate it, even towards those who harm us. We are to love without expectation of return, to give without hoping to receive back.

Why? Because this is how God loves us. "He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil," Jesus says. "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

This is what it means to live out our anointing in Christ. It means to love as God loves – unconditionally, sacrificially, even painfully at times. It means to extend mercy as we have received mercy.

This week, let us remember our calling. We are established in Christ, sealed with the Spirit, to be agents of God's love in this world. May we have the courage to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, and to be merciful as our Father is merciful.

In all things, may we glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom be all honor and glory, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.