Luke’s Jesus preached on the plain, while Matthew’s Jesus preached from the mountain. As we reflected on last Sunday’s Gospel reading, the mountain symbolizes transcendence—a place where Jesus presents a lofty, ideal vision of God’s Kingdom. In contrast, the plain represents immanence—God meeting people where they are, in the midst of their daily lives. It is the level place where blessings and hardships intertwine, where the struggles of real life unfold, and where the tension of faith is lived out in the midst of challenges.

This Sunday, we continue our meditation on Jesus’ preaching on the plain in Luke 6:27-38, where his words challenge us even further. It is not enough to forgive our enemies—we are called to love them. Jesus commands us to do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who mistreat us. He urges us to turn the other cheek, give not only our coat but also our shirt, and see others not as enemies, but as neighbors. These are daunting demands for anyone who seeks to follow Christ. Yet, Jesus does not soften his call, asking, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” (Luke 6:32). His words confront us with a radical love that stretches beyond our comfort, inviting us to live as true disciples in the way of grace.

Jesus’ call for forgiveness, generosity, and unconditional love invites us to reflect on Genesis 45:3-11, 15, another lectionary reading for this Sunday. In this passage, we witness the powerful moment when Joseph reunites with his brothers—the very ones who had betrayed him and set him on a path of hardship, frustration, and deep wounds. After enduring years of suffering and perseverance, Joseph could have chosen resentment. Yet, instead of seeking revenge, he embraces his brothers with forgiveness and grace. His response mirrors Jesus’ radical teaching: to love even those who have wronged us, to extend kindness where the world expects retaliation, and to trust that God’s redemptive work is always at hand, transforming even our deepest pain into a source of reconciliation and healing.