Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48
Love thy neighbor as thyself. For me, this is the most difficult commandment to obey. Many people are unlikable, never mind lovable. There are those who choose to hurt us, even the ones closest to us.
How do we learn to love ALL our neighbors on this planet? We can remember how Jesus loves each soul and longs for them to be saved. Love means having mercy. There are a few people in my life that I had trouble forgiving. Even going to Confession did not lessen the burden of harboring a grudge.
It wasn’t until I tried the Chaplet of Divine Mercy that I was able to let go of lingering resentment. The second opening prayer in the Chaplet is also known as the conversion prayer. “O blood and water which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in you.” First say, “On behalf of [name],” say the prayer, and ask for a special grace for that person. When we pray for someone day after day, it’s tough to hang onto hard feelings.
My husband does a better job with mercy than I do. He goes out to the homeless to see what they need and imagines that he’s helping Jesus in the flesh. We don’t know what each person we meet is going through and how much they’re suffering inside. We just need to be kind and have mercy, and maybe it will be easier to forgive and love. God didn’t say “like," but to love as He would a lost soul.
Ponder:
Can we learn to love the unlovable through prayer?
Pray:
Lord Jesus, please help me to have compassion for others, even those who hurt me. Help me to be more like You and simply love.
Copyright 2025 Bonnie Drury
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