READ SCRIPTURE (Read Luke 6:27-38)
“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.[a] 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 ON THE READING
Luke describes Jesus ascending to the top of the mountain and spends the whole night in prayer to God. The next day, Jesus calls his disciples together and chooses twelve to be his apostles. Jesus descends the mountain and stands on level ground with a crowd of his disciples from many places. They came to be healed of their diseases and troubles.
Jesus heals, but he also teaches the crowd in the Sermon on the Mount. Whether Jesus is on a level field or a mount, he begins with a series of blessings. , Jesus calls his followers to another standard—an impossible one at that. Jesus expects his followers to love their enemies and anticipate absolutely nothing in return. Jesus expects his followers to not judge and condemn, but to forgive. Jesus expects his followers to show mercy just as God has shown mercy to each of us.
What would our life be like without any hatred, revenge, or judgment?
How are we changed as we try to forgive and show mercy?
What role does prayer have in our life as we pursue the path of divine love?
PRAY
Gracious God, thank you for holding us to such high standards. To be honest, sometimes we don’t want to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. We confess our shortcomings to you. Shape and mold us in the image of Christ. Amen.
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