The extra mile

"We go the extra mile!"

So say many companies that consider their quality of customer service to be an advertising asset.

It is possible that what has become today an advertising cliché has its ancient roots in the words of our Lord:

Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go with him for two miles.
(Matthew 5:41)

In that passage and in today’s Gospel (Luke 6:27-38), our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is truly challenging us to go the extra mile in living lives that are truly good – not just nice, not just goody-goody – living truly like Christ, who gave Himself totally for us sinners.

To you who hear I say,
love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.

To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.

Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours
do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?

Even sinners love those who love them.

And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.

If you lend money
to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.

But rather,
love your enemies
and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind
to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Be merciful,
just as also your Father is merciful.

Stop judging
and you will not be judged.

Stop condemning
and you will not be condemned.

Forgive
and you will be forgiven.

Give
and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure,
packed together,
shaken down,
and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.

For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.