10 Love your enemies

Gospel

Luke 6:27-38

Love your enemies

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you. Treat others as you would like them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount. Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

Reflection: The Radical Call to Love

In this challenging passage, Jesus calls us to a standard of love that defies human logic. It is easy to love those who are kind to us, but the Gospel demands more: a radical compassion that extends even to our enemies. By choosing to bless those who curse us and give without expecting return, we mirror the heart of God, who is "kind to the ungrateful and the wicked." This isn't about passivity; it is a powerful, active choice to break the cycle of retaliation. When we release judgment and embrace mercy, we find the freedom of being truly like our Father.

Reflection Question

Is there someone in my life right now whom I find difficult to forgive or love, and how can I practically show them "the other cheek" or a gesture of undeserved kindness this week?

Prayer

Lord, Your love knows no bounds and seeks no reward. Teach me to love with Your heart, especially when it is difficult. Soften my spirit so that I may respond to hatred with goodness and to judgment with mercy. Help me to trust in Your abundance, knowing that as I give, I will receive Your grace in full measure, pressed down and running over. Amen.

Comments

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