Luke 6:27-38

Reflection

Jesus recites a long list of ways in which people should live – loving their enemies, turning the other cheek, not judging, forgiving, being merciful, etc. He states that the measure with which a person measures will be measured out in return.

Jesus’ teaching today can be difficult to live by. Often, we don’t love our enemies and retaliate when someone wrongs us. We judge and condemn, not expecting others to do the same to us. But these ways of living and interacting with people are self-centered and not life giving.

When we encounter adversity, let’s reflect Christ and endure suffering and trials. Jesus calls us to a higher calling than what the world proposes. How do we rise above pettiness and sin? Follow the Lord’s words today, praying for strength to love all, regardless of how they treat you.

Saint of the Day

St. Polycarp: AD 69 – 155

“But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise us up also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, covetousness, love of money, evil speaking, false witness; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing. Epistle to the Philippians, Chapter 2. Exhortation to Virtue, St. Polycarp