St. Paul described his sufferings as follows: "...labors and imprisonments, with far worse beatings and frequent brushes with death. Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes less one; three times I was beaten with rods; I was stoned once, shipwrecked three times; I passed a day and a night on the sea. I traveled continually, endangered by floods, robbers, my own people" (2 Cor 11:23-26). Paul suffered greatly, and much of this was due to his own people's hatred and persecution of him. Nevertheless, Paul had a deep love for the Jewish people. He even said: "Indeed, I could even wish to be separated from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen, the Israelites" (Rm 9:3-4).
When your enemies try to put you through hell on earth, do you love them? Do you love them so much that you would do anything for them, even be damned for them, if that were possible? Jesus, Paul, and many Christians have had this amazing grace to love enemies. The Lord gives this grace to us, for He cannot command us to love our enemies without giving us the power to do this (Mt 5:44).
"This will prove that" we are sons and daughters of our "heavenly Father, for His sun rises on the bad and the good, He rains on the just and the unjust" (Mt 5:45). Only the Lord and His family love everyone so lavishly. Be like God. Receive a miracle of love. Love deeply those who have hurt you terribly and continue to do so.
| PRAYER: | Father, I want to be like You. May I shine on my enemies and bless them abundantly. |
| PROMISE: | "He took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way." –Lk 14:4 |
| PRAISE: | Though St. Martin, conceived of biracial and unwed parents, was in a lower rank of society, his holiness and wisdom were such that people from all classes of society sought his godly counsel. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College