“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:27-38
Love Your Enemies
We are so different as we gather
one family but not known
we spat and quibble over money
and we weep together over our losses.
We can be so foreign and challenging
our languages so confusing our traditions
so odd and challenging to others
we are alone and afraid every one of us.
We come as the family of God
and kneel asking for a sign a vision
we feel so isolated and forgotten
but God is here in the midst of us
and we will be made whole.
We will be known as a people
when we rejoice in our uniqueness
and celebrate the other rejoicing
in learning and growing
side by side with God.
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