As simple as that

Well said.

36 Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.37 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 38 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.”-Luke6:36-38

This teaching of Jesus is very appropriate in our time. Now, there is much emphasis on Freedom of Expression or Freedom of Speech. And some want that it is limitless - that is, anybody can say anything even if it is discriminating, biased, prejudiced, hurtful, rude, stupid or puts others to shame. Some say there could never be discrimination in freedom of speech since it is free after all. Really? If we cannot write or say something aimed at a certain group, then the freedom of speech is reduced. Really? It is sometimes easy for journalists, artists or writers to make up something aimed on certain people or nations because they are not in the center stage. They hide behind their pens, their pencils, their typewriters or computers. But once their 'work' had a different consequence, here they are, crying about the loss or reduction of their freedom to express, they cry of abuse. Some people like to bash or bully online since they can hide behind made-up pseudonyms, and claim it as freedom of expression. But they do not want to be victims themselves. And if there is a reversal of fortune, and they are the victims of cyber bashing, here they cry of cyber bullying or cyber abuses. Jesus said it well in today's Gospel reading. If we want peace and love, let us sow seeds of peace and love even if others do not want to. Yes, we can make a point, express, write or say anything but we must always be ready to face its consequences. Good words, thoughts and actions attract positive and good things in life. Bad words, thoughts and actions attract negative and bad things in life. As simple as that.

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