Pray for those who persecute you?

28Sep
You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
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, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 
- Matthew 5:38-48

Love your enemies. Turn the other cheek. Go the second mile. I struggled with what to write in this meditation after reading the passage because there is a lot to unpack and think about. Pray for those who persecute you? And then there’s the kicker at the end: by the way, be perfect, too. I could never live up to that standard! Why don’t you just ask me to fly to the moon after I drop my children off at school tomorrow?

If someone were to slap me across the cheek, could I turn the other, then forget about it and move on? Love my enemies – well, that is a tall task. When someone hurts me, I don’t want to give in and love them. It feels like we are being told to go against every fiber of our being and quite honestly, that is hard. God turned the other cheek, he loved his enemies, and he prayed for those who persecuted him. He set the bar pretty high. Can we live up to it? God did. 

Growing up, we were taught this commandment: “you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength.” Then: “the second is equally important: love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” How have I been doing? We are called to extend love to everyone, no matter who they are, what they look like or what they do. So I tell you this: go the second mile, turn the cheek and pray for your enemies. We should strive to be perfect, as our God is perfect. Open your hearts and minds and let Him lead the way. Perhaps you’ll feel the love and feel fueled to take that love and share it.  

Musical Reflection - He's Got the Whole World in his Hands - Stellenbosch University Choir

God, you gifted me with one, precious life. I have less time than I imagine. The mission: Take my fill of joy. Hold fast to hope. Love with abandon. Resurrect. Repeat. Amen.
Gospel
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#turntheothercheek

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