Today’s Community Scripture – 3/12/2025

“To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

Key Verse – “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it.

– Reflection:

Work Love Into Your Hearts

This is incredibly challenging! Love your enemies?! That is the command. It’s not just about trying to love your enemies; it’s about actively loving them, doing good for them, and expecting nothing in return. Love. Love. Love. We recognize the transformative power of love, yet it’s often easier to ignore, judge, hold contempt for, or outright hate them. I was raised with the understanding that hate leads to no positive outcomes. It’s not merely about being good or doing good. Jesus instructs us: love. So, love your enemies. Friends, now is the time to open our hearts and put in the effort.

Martin Luther King Jr. delivered countless sermons on this theme, the most notable one occurring in 1957 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. King described what loving our enemies entails. Initially, we must cultivate the ability to forgive, ensuring that the evil acts of others do not obstruct our relationships. Next, we must understand that everyone possesses both good and evil aspects. Finally, our goal should be to earn our enemy’s friendship rather than to defeat them.

– Where do we go from here?

I don’t know about you, but I have some work. I think it will start with some genuine conversations and a lot of curiosity. How about you? Are you ready to open your heart and embrace love?

Our Prayer for Today

Father, standing in your love, grant us the courage to reach out in love, curiosity, and hope. Open our hearts to your love, which is always transformative and never-ending, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.