09/10/2026
10th Sep 2026 - *Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time.*
1 Corinthians 8:1b-7, 11-13
Luke 6:27-38
*Love for Enemies*
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
*Judging Others*
“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 and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
*Sharing 😗
The strong makes the calls, an eye for an eye... this is today’s society. How can we let our enemies go??? left alone to love them.
Jesus, however, told the people to love their enemies, and these words would have turned many away from Him. It was unconceivable for them to love pagan oppressors like Romans. We, too, can associate Romans with people in our life today.
The distinct feature of a Christian that we must always remember is that, *he treats others not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated.*
God wills good, even to those hateful and ungrateful to him. Jesus loves the world even when it hates him and rebel against him.
A true follower of Jesus, however, is able to break the chain of revenge when faced with evil, by praying for them, by loving them.
St Mother Teresa of Calcutta said...
_People are often unreasonable and self-centered, forgive them anyway._
_If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motive. Be kind anyway._
_If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway._
_If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway._
_The good you do today, may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway._
_Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway._
_For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway._
Only those who experience forgiveness can have a forgiving heart and attitude. Our hearts enlarge when we accept Jesus as Our Savior, The Son of God, who was crucified and died to redeem our sins. And in turn, we will be able to forgive and love our enemies.
It is hard to do what Jesus says but it is not impossible as we are given the Holy Spirit to guide us and to strengthen us when we face hardship living His Word.
For when we follow Jesus’ example, God’s love shall transform us into blessings for others.
*Love beyond Limits* - Jesus challenges us to love beyond the boundaries of societal norms, urging us to extend kindness to even those who may be considered adversaries. This type of love disrupts conventional expectations and has the power to break down hostility, fostering a sense of unity and compassion that transcends worldly divisions.
*Forgive as you are Forgiven* - In instructing us to forgive without conditions, Jesus highlights the transformative nature of forgiveness. As recipients of God's unconditional forgiveness, we are called to extend the same grace to others. This principle underscores the reciprocal nature of forgiveness and encourages us to be conduits of God's mercy, creating a ripple effect of healing and reconciliation in our relationships and communities.
*Jesus, guide me to love my enemies, to forgive and to give generously, mirroring Your boundless mercy 🙏🏼, I trust in You.*
