“Pagpalain ninyo ang sumusumpa sa inyo at ipanalangin ang mga nang-aapi sa inyo.”

Lucas 6:28

Noong first time mong mabasa ang verse na ito, ano ang naisip mo? For a moment, did you ever think na baka typo error lang? Imagine, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who persecute you? Sinumpa ka na nga ng taong ‘yon, ibe-bless mo pa? May malaking kasalanan na nga sa iyo, ipagpe-pray mo pang maging maayos ang kalagayan niya? Siguro, kung kaharap mo si Lord, natanong mo na Siya ng, “Seryoso ba ‘to, Lord? Talaga po ba?”

Of course it’s normal not to feel comfortable with this verse. It is being human if we tell God, “Susundin ko po yung ibang commands Ninyo, ‘wag lang ‘to.” Napakahirap nga naman. Lalo na kung ang paiiralin natin ay pride, hurt, unforgiveness, and the desire to get even. Masakit lalo na if the person who wronged you is someone close and special to you.

Pero bakit nga kaya sinabi ni God to bless those who curse us? Hindi ba puwedeng mag-focus na lang tayo sa pag-bless sa mga taong gusto natin, at ipag-pray na lang ang mga taong mabait sa atin?

It is because we are called to love radically. Not according to the standards of this world, but according to how God loves even those who do not acknowledge and obey Him. At kung magdedepende tayo sa ating kakayahang magmahal, napakahirap talaga! That’s why, just like with all other commands of God, we need to seek His grace to enable us to obey. As it is written in Proverbs 3:5, we should “lean not on our own understanding.”