Love your enemies,
do good to those
who hate you.
(Luke 6:27)
God’s love is unconditional. Jesus calls us to love even those who oppose or harm us. True love extends beyond those who love us back. We should practice kindness and compassion towards everyone, including those who may not treat us well. Acts of kindness should be selfless, not motivated by the expectation of reciprocation. This cultivates a heart of genuine compassion.
When faced with conflict, it is better to choose to de-escalate and forgive rather than retaliate. This promotes peace and reconciliation. Our actions and words affect others. We should treat others as we would like to be treated and avoid judging others harshly. Reflecting God’s character in our lives requires us to be merciful and generous, use empathy in our interactions, strive to act with kindness and respect, and respond to aggression with peace and forgiveness, not revenge.
Let us live out our faith in practical ways, embodying the love, mercy, and generosity that Jesus exemplified. They encourage us to rise above natural inclinations towards retaliation and selfishness, aiming instead to reflect God’s kingdom values in our daily lives.
In the light of Jesus’ call, we stand,
To live our faith with heart and hand.
Embody love, mercy, and grace,
Reflecting God’s kingdom in every place.
Rise above the urge to retaliate,
Choose selflessness over selfish fate.
Acts of kindness, pure and true,
Not for reward, but because it’s due.
Consider how our words and deeds,
Affect the hearts and meet the needs.
With kindness, respect, and gentle care,
In every action, everywhere.
When conflict comes, choose to forgive,
In peace and love, let us live.
True love extends beyond the known,
To every heart, let kindness be shown.
Compassion for all, near and far,
Reflecting God’s love, like a shining star.
In every moment, let us strive,
To keep Jesus’ teachings alive.
Lord Jesus,
Your teachings challenge us to live our faith in practical ways, to embody love, mercy, and generosity in all our days. Help us rise above our natural inclinations towards retaliation and selfishness, and instead, reflect Your kingdom values in our daily lives.
Guide us to perform acts of kindness selflessly, not motivated by the expectation of reciprocation, But out of pure love and devotion to You. May we engage in service and generosity without seeking recognition or reward.
Let us always consider how our actions and words affect others, striving to act with kindness and respect. When faced with conflict, grant us the strength to de-escalate and forgive, rather than retaliate.
Teach us that true love extends beyond those who love us back, and to practice kindness and compassion towards everyone, including those who may not treat us well.
In Your holy name, we pray.
Amen.
Pericope:
IV: The Ministry in Galilee
LOVE OF ENEMIES / JUDGING OTHERS
Luke 6:27-36 / 37-42
Gospel Acclamation
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord: love one another as I have loved you.
Gospel | Luke 6:27-38
27 Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not with hold even your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. 35 But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as 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.”
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
