Commentary on the Gospel of
“Without ifs and buts"!
How many times do we listen to this expression, to indicate the unbearable weight of putting conditions? The passage of Deuteronomy (1st reading), recalls the benevolence of the Lord, who enters into a contract with his people. The content of this exchange of "promises" between the Lord and Israel is life with God, and is expressed with many verbs in the future, indicating the saving perspective of this Covenant. The People will respond to God with enthusiasm, but more in desire than in reality.
We well know how the history of Israel will instead be marked by idolatry, by wanting to be led by a King and not by God, also marked by injustices to the orphan and the widow, forgetting to help the poor and the foreigner. Despite this history of inability to do good, God will remain faithful to his love for Israel.
Even Jesus, in the Gospel, expresses himself with the "but". He is Christ, the Son of God made man, he does it to highlight the only possible condition that makes us Sons of God and brothers among us: to love enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Jesus lived.
