Focus
As you quiet yourself for this brief time, be willing to be open to God in whatever way that may take place.
Read
Luke 6:27-38 (NRSV)
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Reflect
In this passage, Jesus is telling the Jewish people how to treat the Roman oppressors in their land. He was not asking them to “love” them–instead, he was asking them to treat the Romans with thoughtfulness and respect as human beings. Loving our enemies does not mean that we will necessarily have affection toward them, though it could grow into that. Instead, we are to go against our natural inclinations in showing them, agape love.
Agape means the kind of love that is willed by the person loving. Agape love is shown even when the one loved has no merit for that love. It is love that must be chosen and willed. We are to follow the example of God who is loving even toward the ungrateful and wicked.
Treating people, we dislike with disdain and disregard never leaves us feeling better about ourselves. I have found that when I think a moment about what I would want to do and what God desires for me is when my better nature wins. Sometimes a quick prayer works wonders for my attitude. Sometimes doing the right thing can lead us into a right relationship with someone we felt unfriendly toward.
Pray
Oh God, give me the heart to do the right thing. Many times I have failed. Help me to make the right decisions. Please mold me. Amen
Go with God!
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