Saturday, March 15, 2014

Read It:
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Reflect on It: Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. This is a great call for each of us. Jesus loved his enemies. In the midst of his suffering and gruesome death, he loved those who put him to death. We are called to love our enemies with the same heart and mind. Of course, that perfection belongs to our Lord, but we should strive to be like him. Where are you in your Lenten fasting? How is it going? I know for me, parts of it have been super hard. The good news is that Jesus is merciful. Every day is a new day to start again.

Pray about It: Sweet Jesus, help me to be perfect as you are perfect! Amen.

Live It! Challenge: Today, pray for your biggest enemy.