Love of Enemies

"You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But this I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For He makes His sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and He gives rain to both the just and the unjust." - Matthew 5:43-46

It's very easy to get swept away by our own notions of justice. Somehow, if we don't defend ourselves and treat others as they 'deserve' to be treated, we're weak. That's why when Jesus said to love those who do you wrong and pray for them, a lot of people must have stopped following Him because instinctively, it completely goes against how we feel. But if we're serious about following Jesus, this is another instance of when we have to pick up our cross and get to walking. I know I have moments when I want to snap, scream at someone or even hit them, but this is where I have to take a second to think about how Jesus would approach the situation. Today, for example, someone made an obnoxious comment and I had the perfect reply, full of spite, but I waited and prayed. I asked Jesus for strength and I felt in my heart that I needed to love and not get angry, so I replied out of love.

At first we certainly don't have neither the patience nor the love to do what Jesus asks, but if we really ask, He gives it to us. Even if we don't love that person who causes us so much trouble, the Lord will lead us to understand that despite their faults, He loves them, and we have to follow.

Today's Prayer:
My Lord, I don't know where I would be without Your patience. I know I'm a slow learner, but please continue to guide me and teach me all of Your ways. In Your Name we pray, amen.