Thursday 10th September
“Love your enemies.”
Luke 6:27-38
In today’s reading, Jesus teaches a new way of living when it comes to how we see and treat others, including our ‘enemies’: to love them, do good towards them, and bless and pray for them. This teaching is as radical today as when Jesus first preached it, because this kind of loving does not come naturally to us, nor is it easy. It is only possible with and through God. Jesus reminds us that God our Father is kind and merciful. Do I need to ask for his mercy today, for the times I have been unloving? Do I recognise parts of myself that love conditionally, or keep a record of my good deeds?
We can dialogue with God about this, and allow him to encounter us in our weaknesses. He loves us even when we fall short, and the more we allow his love to touch us, the more we will be able to love others.