Christ Jesus, help me love my enemies and pray for them…

Gospel Mystery of the Day         Monday, June 19, 2018
 
Good Morning!      
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
 
Matthew 5:43-48

 
It is easy to love, and a pleasure to pray for, those I love. But what of those I do not love, that is, my ‘enemies*’ in a biblical sense? What of my boss who is on a power trip, my estranged relative who pushes my buttons, the friend who has become a nightmare, or a neighbour who takes revenge on my love of dandelions –how and why love and pray for these enemies of mine? Jesus calls us as his followers to enter into perfect love, the perfect agape of God, and hate no one, so that we can live into our heritage as his children. It is through my prayers and my openness to God’s mercy flowing through my life, that I am healed and no longer respond to ‘evil doers’ with hatred; then they are no longer my enemies. Indeed, as much as I love and pray for my enemies, that much the poison of hatred disappears from my life  . Who am I treating as an enemy? Christ Jesus, help me love my enemies and pray for them. 
 
*The word for ‘enmity’ in Greek is ‘echthra’ or, ‘hated’ and is the direct opposite of ‘agape’, or ‘wide-open love’.
        
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  (Psalm 51:2)
 
When God tells us to love our enemies, he gives along with the command, love itself.
Corrie Ten Boom
 
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Soli ad gloriam Dei