Luke 6: 27-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Give Your Heart Fully
During post-game interviews coaches and players often say, “We gave 110% today.” Wow! How can anyone claim to give 110%?
For millennia it was an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If one was hit, one hit back. When money or goods were loaned out, repayment was due and items were to be returned. Often the desire for wealth and entitlement made people’s hearts cold and stonelike.
Jesus turns everything upside down. Jesus says his disciples need to love their enemies, turn the other cheek, and more. Jesus challenges us to a discipleship of transformation allowing our hearts to be changed from stone to flesh—compassionate hearts filled with gratitude, hearts enabled to give mercy and forgiveness far greater than 110%, because they have been filled to overflowing with God’s generous love and mercy.
Today make time to examine your heart and its state of transformation.
—Russ Long attends St. Peter Catholic Church, the Jesuit parish in the Diocese of Charlotte, NC. He is involved with the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network and religious education in the parish.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the grace to allow my heart to be transformed from one of stone to one of flesh. Enable me to share mercy and forgiveness and be your disciple in words and deeds. Amen.
—Russ Long
Pray with the Pope
The Holy Father’s Monthly Prayer Intentions Brought to you by Apostleship of Prayer the first Friday of each month.