Luke 6:27-36
“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 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 withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 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. 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. Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.
Grace Prayed For
The Grace of Patience: This journey won’t be easy. Pray for the grace to be patient with yourself. There will be setbacks, moments of anger or resentment. Ask for the strength to keep trying, to rise above negativity, and choose love again and again.
Love Like Lightning: A Reflection on Luke 6:27-36
In today’s passage from Luke, Jesus challenges us with a radical idea: to love our enemies. It’s a concept that strikes us like a bolt of lightning, shocking our natural instincts to retaliate and seek revenge.
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He unpacks this revolutionary concept, layer by layer:
- Love in Action: Love isn’t just a warm feeling. It translates into doing good to those who hate us, blessing those who curse us, and praying for those who mistreat us. It’s a conscious choice to break the cycle of negativity and respond with kindness.
- Beyond Reciprocity: Jesus asks us to move beyond the tit-for-tat mentality. We don’t show love because we expect something in return. It’s a selfless act, mirroring the way God showers his grace on everyone, even the “ungrateful and the wicked.”
- Becoming Children of God: By embracing this challenging love, we become more like God himself – merciful and compassionate. We step into a higher calling, reflecting the very essence of the divine.
How can we integrate this radical love into our lives?
- Challenge Assumptions: When anger or resentment arise towards someone who has wronged you, pause and challenge those feelings. Can you find a way to offer kindness instead?
- Start Small: Loving your enemies doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Maybe it’s offering a smile to someone you find difficult, or simply wishing them well in your heart.
- Practice Empathy: Try to understand why someone might be acting in a negative way. Perhaps they are hurting themselves? Cultivating empathy can soften your stance.
Remember, this journey is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be setbacks, moments of anger and frustration. But with each attempt to love like lightning, striking out with kindness instead of retaliation, we inch closer to becoming true children of God.
Let this be your prayer:
Dear Lord,
Help me to see the world through your eyes, filled with love and compassion. Grant me the strength to break the cycle of negativity and respond to hatred with kindness. May I become a reflection of your boundless love, starting today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Growing in Intimacy with Jesus
Vulnerability and Trust: Choosing love over anger or revenge requires vulnerability and trust in God. You are essentially saying, “God, I am handing this situation over to you. I trust you to work your will and overcome evil with good.” This act of trust strengthens your bond with the Lord.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post