Jesus shared a lot of challenging messages, none more difficult than the words from Luke 6 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not refuse your shirt from them”
It is hard enough forgiving people who have done something to hurt us. Jesus instructs us to go even further by being extra kind and generous to people who cause us pain. With our human understanding plus normal, average ways of looking at life, this is a very hard request. Jesus was not average, nor did he have normal human capacity for love and tolerance. Sharing our love with people who love us is easy. Extending that same love to people who do not love us is the ultimate sign of moving past mere human levels of love and compassion. It is by listening to and following Jesus’ example that we become truly Christ-like.
As we continue through our Lent journey, I pray we all find room in our hearts and greater levels of love and forgiveness. I know I am thinking harder about how I can be more forgiving and accepting of others.
Thank you for the words of encouragement and support.
Comments