The answer is: The unthankful and the evil

Luke 6:35

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers some eye-opening insights about God’s goodness. Interestingly, He points out that God's kindness extends even to those often labeled as “unthankful and evil." This idea flips conventional wisdom on its head! You might think kindness should be reserved for those who are grateful or lead good lives, but that’s not how God's unconditional love seems to operate.

Luke 6:35 beautifully highlights this principle and connects with the deeper concept of grace — a favor given freely, often without any merit on our part. This reflects a critical lesson about human relationships too: it’s all too easy to limit our kindness to those who reciprocate. However, by mirroring God’s style of love, we practice grace in our lives, becoming beacons of light in a world that can sometimes seem unforgiving.

A fun fact: the Gospel of Luke is unique because it features more parables about marginalized people than any other Gospel—it really emphasizes God’s love for all, regardless of societal labels. This message resonates deeply today.

When we reflect on these profound teachings, we’re encouraged to embody that same unrestricted generosity and kindness in our everyday interactions. After all, everyone has their own struggles, and perhaps they, too, need a little grace! Remembering this can change the way we connect with those around us. After all, a community anchored in kindness can transform hearts!