Embracing Forgiveness: The Call to Love Our Enemies

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing to Love Beyond Feelings

Loving our enemies is a profound command that challenges us to rise above our natural inclinations. It is not about harboring warm feelings but making a conscious decision to act in love towards those who oppose us. This path is narrow and difficult, yet it leads to true joy and eternal life. Jesus calls us to do good to those who hate us and to pray for those who mistreat us, inviting us to embrace a higher path of love that transcends human understanding. This love is a deliberate choice, a reflection of divine love that seeks the well-being of others, even when they stand against us. [22:58]

"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." (Luke 6:27-28, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life do you find difficult to love? How can you choose to act in love towards them today, despite your feelings?

Day 2: Forgiveness as a Path to Joy

Forgiveness is not a feeling but a deliberate choice that opens the door to divine joy. Unforgiveness acts like a constricting snake, preventing us from experiencing the joy of heaven. By choosing to forgive, we release ourselves from the chains of bitterness and open our hearts to the joy that God desires for us. Jesus, in His humanity, suffered all that we suffer and chose to forgive. We are called to follow His example, empowered by the Holy Spirit to forgive as He did. This act of forgiveness is not just for the sake of those who have wronged us but for our own freedom and joy. [26:09]

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive today? What steps can you take to begin the process of forgiveness and experience the joy that comes with it?

Day 3: The Reciprocity of Forgiveness

The measure with which we forgive others is the measure with which we will be forgiven. This is a hard truth, but it is essential to our faith. Holding onto resentment harms not only ourselves but the body of Christ, of which we are all a part. Jesus, on the cross, forgave those who crucified Him, and He calls us to do the same. Forgiveness does not mean we must reconcile or befriend those who have hurt us, especially if it is not safe. It means releasing the poison of resentment and choosing to let go, trusting that God will deal with justice in His time. [28:13]

"For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: Are you holding onto any resentment that is affecting your relationship with God and others? How can you begin to release this today?

Day 4: Empowered to Forgive by the Holy Spirit

Through baptism, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to forgive as Jesus did. We are called to be little Christs, capable of forgiving even the deepest hurts, just as Jesus forgave those who crucified Him. This empowerment is not of our own strength but through the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. As we embrace this calling, we become conduits of God's grace and forgiveness in the world, reflecting His love and mercy to those around us. [30:41]

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:5, ESV)

Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to help you forgive someone who has deeply hurt you? What does it mean for you to be a "little Christ" in this situation?

Day 5: Practical Steps to Embrace Forgiveness

We are encouraged to pray for the grace to forgive, asking Jesus to reveal whom we need to forgive and placing them at the foot of the cross. This practice frees us from bitterness and allows us to live in the freedom of Christ's love. As we approach times of reflection, such as Lent, let us consider how we can give to others, not just by giving up something, but by giving out of love and forgiveness. This act of forgiveness is not just for their sake but for ours, to free us from the chains of bitterness and to allow us to live in the freedom of Christ's love. [37:05]

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to begin the process of forgiveness? How can you incorporate prayer into this journey to seek God's guidance and strength?

Sermon Summary

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we gather to reflect on the profound call to love our enemies. This is not merely a suggestion but a command from Jesus, inviting us to transcend our natural inclinations and embrace a higher path. The Gospel challenges us to love those who oppose us, to do good to those who hate us, and to pray for those who mistreat us. This path is not easy; it is narrow and difficult, yet it is the way to true joy and eternal life.

Forgiveness is central to this journey. Unforgiveness acts like a constricting snake, preventing us from experiencing the joy of heaven. To forgive is a choice, not a feeling. It is a divine act that opens the door to joy in this life and the next. Jesus, in His humanity, suffered all that we suffer and chose to forgive. By our baptism, we are called to be little Christs, empowered by the same Holy Spirit to forgive as He did.

The measure with which we forgive others is the measure with which we will be forgiven. This is a hard truth, but it is essential to our faith. Holding onto resentment tears at the body of Christ, of which we are all a part. Jesus, on the cross, forgave those who crucified Him, and He calls us to do the same. Forgiveness does not mean we must reconcile or befriend those who have hurt us, especially if it is not safe. It means releasing the poison of resentment and choosing to let go.

We are invited to pray for the grace to forgive, to ask Jesus to show us whom we need to forgive, and to place them at the foot of the cross. This act of forgiveness is not just for their sake but for ours, to free us from the chains of bitterness and to allow us to live in the freedom of Christ's love. As we approach Lent, let us consider how we can give to others, not just by giving up something, but by giving out of love and forgiveness.

Key Takeaways

1. Love Your Enemies: Jesus commands us to love our enemies, a path that is narrow and difficult but leads to true joy and eternal life. This love is not about feelings but a conscious choice to do good and pray for those who oppose us. [22:58]
2. Forgiveness as a Choice: Forgiveness is not a feeling but a deliberate choice. Unforgiveness constricts our souls and prevents us from experiencing the joy of heaven. By choosing to forgive, we open ourselves to divine joy. [26:09]
3. The Measure of Forgiveness: The measure with which we forgive others is the measure with which we will be forgiven. Holding onto resentment harms the body of Christ and ourselves. We must choose to forgive to receive God's forgiveness. [28:13]
4. Empowered by the Holy Spirit: Through baptism, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to forgive as Jesus did. We are called to be little Christs, capable of forgiving even the deepest hurts, just as Jesus forgave those who crucified Him. [30:41]
5. Practical Steps to Forgiveness: We are encouraged to pray for the grace to forgive, asking Jesus to reveal whom we need to forgive and placing them at the foot of the cross. This practice frees us from bitterness and allows us to live in the freedom of Christ's love. [37:05]
** [37:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Opening Prayer and Confession
[02:00] - Introduction to the Gospel
[03:15] - Command to Love Your Enemies
[05:00] - The Challenge of Forgiveness
[07:30] - Joy Through Forgiveness
[10:00] - Unforgiveness as a Constrictor
[12:30] - Jesus as Our Model
[15:00] - Empowerment Through Baptism
[18:00] - The Measure of Forgiveness
[20:30] - Practical Steps to Forgiveness
[23:00] - Personal Story of Forgiveness
[26:00] - The Gift of Laughter
[28:30] - Disposition of Forgiveness
[31:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation to Forgive

Sermon Clips

All right, so we get this Gospel today, and it is at the heart of the Christian message. Church, love your enemies. This isn't a suggestion from the Lord, it's a command. It's an invitation. It's an invitation. Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. [00:21:23] (24 seconds)

It's that when I choose to forgive, when I choose to pray for my enemies, when I choose to love my enemies, joy has space within me. Unforgiveness constricts. It's like a snake that ties itself around our soul, and it forbids us from experiencing the joy of heaven. You want to know why you don't experience joy in your life, or heaven? You may experience passing, like, happiness. You might have laughter with your friends about worldly things. But why you don't actually experience joy is because you haven't forgiven. If you don't forgive, you can't experience heaven in this life or in the next. [00:23:08] (45 seconds)

You choose not to forgive. No, it's like, I don't feel like forgiving. That's not, that's not it. Like, it's, it's a choice. C .S. Lewis in the Screwtape Letters, which is like a via negativa. That is, he writes about the gospel from a, from the underworld side. So he's like, the enemy, which is the church, right? He writes it like, with the, the voice of the underworld. [00:24:35] (22 seconds)

Now think about this for a moment. Jesus created, as God, in his divine wisdom, created the Romans, the scribes, the Pharisees, the centurions, all of those who were murdering him. He created in his love. And they, his creation, whom he created in love, were spitting upon him, were crucifying him. The very people he created were abusing him. [00:25:27] (33 seconds)

Yeah, so he's on your side too. By the gift of your baptism, you became a mini Christ. A Christiane isn't somebody who follows Jesus. It's a little Christ. That means he has given you the same Holy Spirit that inebriated him, that was filling him, is inside of you. Amen? We're tracking. So that means if he did it, you can do it. If he forgave those who murdered him, you can forgive those who have murdered parts of you. [00:26:59] (32 seconds)

If I don't forgive, notice what Jesus says at the end, for the measure with which you measure, brothers and sisters, the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. So if I don't forgive, he's not going to forgive. If I hold judgment in my heart, judgment is given to me. We pray this in the Our Father. Forgive us our trespasses as... Yeah! [00:28:00] (24 seconds)

It's uncomfortable, but it's the hard truth of our faith. If I don't forgive other people, God has no reason to forgive me. I pray it every day. Forgive me as I forgive others. So if I don't forgive, why should I expect his forgiveness? He's ready to forgive you. He's ready to give you that forgiveness. But notice that on the cross, he makes an excuse. Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing. [00:28:43] (29 seconds)

I've shared this story, but I'll share it again, just briefly. And so he said, in order for the laughter to come forth, you have to forgive. Now, I didn't understand the concept that we are body and soul, and how what happens in my soul affects my body, and what happens in my body affects my soul. They're intertwined. [00:29:58] (20 seconds)

And now this is where we come to choosing forgiveness. Yeah, sometimes our bodies are like, I don't want to. But my mind, my will, I choose to forgive them. And we'll find freedom on the other side. So just say, Jesus, in your name, I choose to forgive. [00:36:16] (14 seconds)

And the second part, it becomes a blessing. So we say, Jesus, I ask that you would bless them. With the radiance of your divine mercy. And help me to live in the freedom of your love. In Jesus' name, amen. [00:37:12] (26 seconds)

Your homework is to do that each day. If you choose to accept this challenge, your homework is to do it each day. Today, asking Jesus, show me one person I need to forgive. What do I need to forgive them for? In the name of Jesus, I place them at the foot of the cross. And Jesus, in your name, I choose to forgive so and so for what they've done to me. And again, speaking it out. Today, we're like by a bunch of people, so they don't want to do that. But speaking it out, because the word has power. And just as you've been hurt, you need to speak that out and choose to forgive. Amen? [00:37:30] (30 seconds)

When in need, they call the rectory, the parish office, or the St. Vincent de Paul hotline. They are, in effect, calling your own phone. So we want you to pray and ask the Lord, is this something that God is calling me to do to help our neighbors and parishioners in need with the gift of your time and your talent? I was, when I was in, when I was at my, I grew up at St. Rita's in Aurora, and I was part of St. Vincent de Paul in high school, and it was an awesome opportunity on weekends or in the afternoons to go and, like, move, like, help people move bedroom, like, their bed stuff from a place that they were living to an apartment, right? Like, to really help the poor in very physical ways. Members do all sorts of things, like taking hotline calls, making visits, doing the bookkeeping, helping with fundraising, interpreting, helping with data, and posting bulletin articles. Your talents can be matched to all the various roles and ways of serving. So we just invite you to please stop by the St. Vincent de Paul table in the Narthex for more information if you feel drawn. And you say, like, think about, like, is there something in your heart stirring as we invite you to this? Or are you like, I just really want to get out of here. I've got you. But, like, is there something stirring in your heart that's like, I want to help the poor. I don't know how, but I feel like this might be the invitation. [01:06:28] (71 seconds)

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