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Gospel Reading for September 12, 2024 – Luke 6: 27-38
THE DIVINE IN US
Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
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How very challenging it is to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us and mistreat us! But, it isn’t really a matter of what makes it challenging, but who makes it challenging for us to do such a divine action. It is the devil who is always pushing us to retaliate and get even with those who do us wrong. It is the devil who pushes us to hate those who hate us. Why? Because when we hate, we PERPETUATE evil, and this will add to the VICIOUS CYCLE that continues to destroy life and humanity. The only way to beat the devil is to be good, to bring out THE DIVINE IN US!
Lord Jesus, may we always understand that however challenging your teaching is, it is still the VERY BEST OPTION if we are to have peace in the world, peace with those around us, and peace within ourselves. May we always ask help from your Spirit during these challenging times!
