The Gospel of Luke 6:27-38
Jesus said, “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.”
Let us Pray: Heavenly Father, grant us the strength and compassion to love those who oppose us. Help us to see them through Your eyes, with a heart full of mercy and understanding. May Your grace flow through us, allowing us to extend forgiveness and kindness, just as You have shown us. lift up those who harbor hatred in their hearts. May Your love penetrate their souls, bringing peace and healing. Guide us in our actions and words so that we may be a reflection of Your love, even in the face of animosity. Amen.
As I look around our nation I wonder where has the word of Jesus has gone? The people who should be role models for our younger generation are just the opposite. They profess beliefs in the teachings of Christ but when truly faced with a direct approach they want to inflict their power on the confronter. Does this Gospel of Luke represent your beliefs and your practices if so, you are a role model. This Gospel is difficult to fully take to heart as it is human nature not to let someone else hurt us without returning the hurt. We can feel that today as we look at the condition of our country, people feel they are being hurt by many of the policies being decreed upon us. So, they take to retaliating with social media posts and negative comments on news sites. They may make you feel better when you do it, but unfortunately, they continue to allow the negativity to grow. Today’s world sends so many mixed messages about what is conceived as good and evil, should we be concerned about the powerful who want to control the country, or do we trust that God will make things right in His own time. I guess what we have to remember is you reap what you sow, but how long do we wait to see what is reaped from the evil that is currently being sowed. How many of us judge those in power, I know I do, and I know that I get judged all the time, My beliefs have alienated me from some in my family but there comes a time when we must stand up for our beliefs, not the false bravado that many in the beliefs of the Christian right are peddling. Above all, when nothing less can save people, from the dangers of sin and death, God comes to us as Jesus. God’s only Son walks with us, lives through our troubles alongside us, teaches us new ways directly and brings us out of the problematic place where we are trapped and into a new beginning.
Let us Pray: Loving Father, We pray for those who mistreat us. May Your Holy Spirit work within their hearts, transforming their actions and bringing them closer to You. Give us the patience and courage to endure, always responding with love and kindness. Amen.
Reflections by Bob 