Jesus commands us, His followers, to love our enemies. Before we can love our enemies, we must forgive them. Take a few moments and think of that enemy who has hurt you the most. Ask God for the grace to truly forgive this person from the depths of your heart (see Mt 18:35). Say, "By the grace of God, I forgive (name) for the damage done to me."
Forgiving an enemy from your heart is difficult enough. The next step is to love that enemy. Only God can make us love, for "God is love" (1 Jn 4:8, 16). God's grace is poured down without measure (Lk 6:38). He sends down the rain on the bad and good, friends and enemies (Mt 5:45).
Forgiveness is so much more powerful than revenge and retaliation (see Rm 12:20-21). Forgiveness robs the enemy of his power over you. When your enemy tries to oppress you, if you say, "I'll walk two miles with you instead of just one," you have disarmed your enemy (see Mt 5:41). Furthermore, your love for your enemy opens a crack for the love of God to flow into your enemy's life.
Ask God for the grace to love enemies. "Pray for your persecutors" (Mt 5:44). It's hard to hate someone for whom you are praying. This proves you are a child of God, that you love your enemies. Depend not on yourself (see Prv 3:5-6). "Nothing is impossible with God" (Lk 1:37).
| PRAYER: | Father, pour out Your Spirit into my heart (Rm 5:5), so I may forgive and love as You do. I truly want to be Your child who forgives and loves my enemies. |
| PROMISE: | "Just as we resemble the man from earth, so shall we bear the likeness of the Man from heaven." –1 Cor 15:49 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, the Beloved Son of the Father. Alleluia! |
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