Thursday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
(Hebrews 10:19-25; Mark 4:21-25)
The man identified himself as Catholic, but he asked a
question that comes from another religious tradition. “Do you believe in karma?” he said. “What is that?” was the reply. The man explained that karma is the teaching that one receives back what he or she gives
ay. If she does good, good things will
happen to her. If he does evil, then he
will be punished in some way. Is this what Jesus is driving at in today’s
gospel?
Jesus promises, “The measure with which you measure will be
measured out to you, and still more will be given to you.” It sounds like karma, but it goes beyond a simple tit-for-tat. Jesus means that those who give of themselves
in love like he does will experience eternal life – the “more” in his
assertion.
When we respond to injury with care – maybe in the form of a
prayer for our malefactor – we align ourselves with Jesus. He is the light that illumines our lives now
and will not dim as we enter the darkness of death.