Oh Lord how I struggle everyday or at least every other day to love those who have hurt me deeply or have persecuted me in one way or another. Even if some had not physically abused me they have given me some form of emotional or mental anguish through their taunts or verbal abuse. It is far easier to hate, despise and wish on them some form of retribution. Lord I often feel so helpless, weak and alone.
But now sweet Jesus I know You are always there with me when I call on You. It is You who give me strength, it is You bring me comfort and love. You have forgiven me and when I partake in that forgiveness by forgiving those who hurt me I am in fact setting myself free. Free from the bonds of hate, free from anguish, free to love and serve You my Lord.
I am beginning to see that love is not an emotion but a decision. A decision to act in love, to give of myself freely, to sacrifice if need be, to carry my cross with and for You. The only return I hope and pray for is Your Peace Lord Jesus, for Your Peace is complete and pure love. Grant me and all who hurt me; Your peace Lord. Lead and guide me in Your ways, so that I may love as You love Lord. And may my service to You and to others in Your name be always pleasing to God our Father. In your most precious name….Amen.
GOSPEL Luke 6:27–38
Jesus said to his disciples: “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. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
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