LOVING THE ENEMY: IS IT POSSIBLE?
(Matthew 5:43-48)
It is very difficult in our world
to be loved by all. A lot of people take you as their enemies. You too take
some people as your enemies. There are also those who claim to be friends, but
they are not really friends in actual sense. There are equally those you claim
to love but down within you, you are aware that you are just pretending to.
You may have that one person or
family you're holding something against or that holds something against
you. Some even would want you dead. Some
will eliminate you if they get the opportunity. Some others would not be alive
to see you succeed. Some of them would frustrate any good thing that comes to
you. Some have really taken fortunes from you while others have attempted
severally to steal your joy or have your image tarnished in the past. Some have
killed.
We seem to present these 'wicked'
persons to God to handle them terribly. We pray and wait patiently for the day
God will strike them. We seem to ask God for permission to retaliate or, better
still, give them something worse than what we have received from them. But Jesus says to our disappointment and
surprise: Yes, they are your enemies, but I say to you: Forgive them!
Christ has said it. He will not
lead us astray. Let us sit down and ask ourselves some questions. We will
surely know that it is better to forgive than to keep fighting and gathering
more enemies. Let us make more heavenly and holy friends and free ourselves and
others from the bondage of enmity. May we all be bonded to Christ.
LET US PRAY
Oh God, It is difficult to
forgive especially the enemies. Bless us with the grace to forgive them and
pray for those who persecute us on daily basis. May we not be persecutors to
others as well. Help by your grace through Christ our Lord. Amen
God bless your Saturday. (First
Week of Lent)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
Image from: 700 Club Interactive - Love Your Enemies - January 19, 2017 | CBN.com
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