Eternal Father, turn our hearts to you. By seeking your kingdom and loving one another, May we become a people who worship you in spirit and truth. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
The core of God’s commandments is to care for widows and orphans –those in our society who have no one to care for them. Jesus says we should not only care for the weak in our society but also those with whom we have little in common, whom we may even utterly detest: “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.” By doing so, we act as God does, “for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” We must constantly ask ourselves “who is my neighbor?”
Loving God, Sometimes my heart turns in every direction except towards you. Please help me
to turn my heart toward you, to gaze upon you in trust and to seek your kingdom with all of my heart. Soften my hardened heart so that I might love others as a way to glorify and worship you. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment