“But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
Luke 6:35
and lend expecting nothing back.”
Reflection
Jesus instructs his disciples to treat others as they want to be treated. In fact, they must go further and love their enemies, for it does them no good to be nice or love those who love you and are nice to you – even sinners do the same. He says their reward will be great for loving their enemies, forgiving others, and for not judging or condemning people.
This is a tall order we are given today – loving our enemies, forgiving those who hurt us, no condemnation or judgment. We all fall into these sins so easily, through a single glance or word. In this light, what Christ proposes can be truly difficult to carry out at times.
Yet, since we know God’s will for us is to love those we normally wouldn’t, we must strive to carry it out. The Holy Spirit is a great help in difficult moments when we are tempted to sin. We can call upon him and ask for the courage to reject the sin and choose the good and beautiful in that moment. We can all improve in some aspect of today’s Gospel – what is Jesus calling you to improve upon?
Saint of the Day
St. Thomas of Villanova: 1488 – 1555
| “Dismiss all anger and look into yourself a little. Remember that he of whom you are speaking is your brother, and as he is in the way of salvation, God can make him a saint, in spite of his present weakness.” St. Thomas of Villanova |
