On turning the world upside down

It seems that with every passing day we see and hear of more of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man. It doesn’t seem to matter which part of the world you come from, or what community you call your own. Everyone is angry with everyone else. Patience has worn thin to the point of non-existence. And sympathy for somebody else’s point of view is vanishingly rare.
I remember reading Luke’s Gospel as a teenager, and the effect that chapter 6 verse 27–36 had on me:
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you…”
In effect we are to do the opposite of what the world around us does. Don’t just love the people who love you back, love the nasty people, the vindictive, the cheaters and liars, those who do you deliberate harm. Lend without expecting something back. In fact, if someone takes your belongings, give them more! If you do this you will be exhibiting the same character as God, who loves us despite our inherent selfishness and pride.
I remember as I read Luke’s Gospel thinking, and actually writing in the margin of my Bible: This would turn the world upside down.
In retrospect, I think I was wrong: This would turn the world the right way up!
