Reflect on Matthew 5:43-48, embracing Jesus' call to love and pray for our enemies, fostering compassion and unity in our daily lives.
Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48
There was a farmer with a bountiful crop who won awards at local fairs. He would share his good seed with his neighbors so that they also had good crops. When asked why he would willingly give away his good seed, he stated that his crops did better surrounded by good crops than by those which were withered, sick, or less in any way. He wanted his neighbors’ crops to do well to help his crops do well.
If we share our goodness, our blessings, and our prayers with all those in our lives, not just those we like, won’t we be benefit too? Yes, we surround ourselves with those we like, but do we only pray for and love them? Jesus tells us the tax collectors and the pagans thought likewise. Why not pray for and love our enemies, too?
I once had a person with whom I was at odds. We had a hard time agreeing, and this kept me from reaching a goal. I started changing my approach. I prayed for this person. I did this daily. In time, we started getting to know one another and understand each other. We’re now friends.
We never know how the Holy Spirit might work in someone else’s life. We also never know the burden another person might be carrying. God sees the heart while we only see outward appearances, witness actions, and hear words.
We are far from perfect, but we should strive to imitate God’s perfect love in all ways. To do this, to be children of God, to be unusual as Jesus says, is to love our enemies and pray for them. Let us be set apart from the ways of the world in our love. This is how they will know we are Christians.
Ponder:
Am I loving and praying for my enemies, those I would argue with, or those I don’t like?
Pray:
Lord, help me to pray for those I’m at odds with and teach me to love them as You love them.
Pray Together:
Talk about those you might consider an enemy and pray for those people every day this week. Especially help small children understand compassion for their peers.
Copyright 2026 Caroline Godin
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