Friday 17th of March
“…But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..”
Matthew 5:43-45
Today and everyday Jesus is telling us that we are to love everyone — not just the people who love us. The reality is that we won’t like everyone every day of the week. Nor will others like us on some days. However, this doesn’t mean our love and care for the others will be destroyed. The love Jesus is speaking about has the ability to transcend the daily irritations, disagreements, and petty arguments. Love enables us to focus much better. Yet, we still have the ability to love even the people we may not like. Jesus reminds us that each and every person is lovable – even the one who gets on our very last nerve. We have to choose between loving like Jesus did or allowing our emotions to control us. What will we choose today?
Jesus loved till the end. We are called to be like him. This is a powerful conclusion to the things Jesus has been teaching us about our relationships with others. Have you ever experienced the effect of actually praying for whoever who has hurt you, to wish them well, wish them peace and healing?