the greatest love
“My command to you is: love your enemies.” —Matthew 5:44 Loving our enemies means to treat them as well as or better than we treat our friends (see Mt 5:45; Lk 15:29).
Loving enemies means praying for them (Mt 5:44) to be blessed by the Lord and then answering our own prayer by bountifully giving to them (see 2 Cor 8:4-5; see also Lk 15:22ff).
Loving enemies means showing affection for them in a way they can receive it (Lk 15:20).
Loving enemies means honoring them in exceptional ways (Lk 15:22-24).
Loving enemies is obviously impossible. It is pure grace. It shows we are children of our heavenly Father (Mt 5:45) and perfected as He is perfect (Mt 5:48).
Loving enemies is shocking, prophetic, and evangelistic. When we truly love our enemies, Jesus’ death on the cross becomes luminous. When we love our enemies, countless knees bend and tongues proclaim: “Jesus Christ is Lord!” (Phil 2:10-11) By God’s grace, love your enemies!
Prayer: Father, I accept Your grace to do the impossible. I love my enemies.
Promise: “You are well acquainted with the favor shown you by our Lord Jesus Christ: how for your sake He made Himself poor though He was rich, so that you might become rich by His poverty.” —2 Cor 8:9
Praise: When someone asks Julie about her faith, she always prays, “Come, Holy Spirit,” and then she is often surprised at the beautiful words that come to her as she speaks.
Reference: (Beginning June 25 and extending for 40 days, we have a series of 13 retreats that will equip you to know, love and serve the Lord. This 40-Day Discipleship Formation Program is the foundation of Presentation Ministries. Come for a few days or for the entire time. For more information, see www.presentationministries.com.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the period from June 1, 2021 through July 31, 2021. Reverend Steve J Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio January 20, 2021"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.