LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: There is an old Irish blessing: “May God bless those who love us. Those who do not love us, may he turn their hearts. And if they don’t turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping.” The Christian blessing is: “Those who do not love us, may he turn our hearts to love them.”
We ask the Lord for the grace to follow his example and to love all people including and especially those who do not love us.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have not loved and forgiven our enemies, we ask the Lord for his forgiveness.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you came not to condemn but to save what was lost:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you bring pardon and peace to the sinner:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you forgave those who put you to a shameful death on the cross:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: Compassionate God and Father,
you are kind to the ungrateful,
and merciful even to the wicked.
Pour out your love upon us,
that with good and generous hearts
we may keep from judging others
and learn your way of compassion.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23
Psalm Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13
Response The Lord is kind and merciful.
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.
Gospel Luke 6:27-38
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are on the level ground among the disciples. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear Jesus ask them/you to love your enemies and to forgive?
Sunday Snippets
Martin Luther King Jr wrote (in/from jail!) about loving enemies: “This is not practical; life is a matter of getting even, of hitting back… We have followed the so-called practical way for too long, and it has led inexorably to deeper confusion and chaos. Time is cluttered with the wreckage of communities which surrendered to hatred and violence. For the salvation of our nation and the salvation of humankind, we must follow another way. This does not mean that we abandon our righteous efforts. With every ounce of our energy, we must continue to rid this nation of the incubus of segregation. But we shall not in the process relinquish our privilege and our obligation to love. While abhorring segregation, we shall love the segregationist. This is the only way to create the beloved community.”
Luther was commenting on the “impractical” way Jesus preached in his sermon on the plain. Love of enemies is contrary to every natural impulse. Jesus teaches us to remain loving even when others treat us in an unloving manner. There will be times when we need to protect ourselves against evil. But in and with love.
A massive challenge! How can we love people who have hurt/ oppressed us? How can we love our enemies when everything inside us makes us want to hurt them back as they have hurt us?
The response, indicated by scripture and by the life of Jesus, is that we can love those for whom we feel no love when we decide to do so. Love is not a feeling; it is a choice and a decision to do right even when wronged; to do good even when bad is done; to bless even when cursed; to forgive even when condemned.
Love is a commitment to the good of another. We have an example in the First Reading: David refuses to harm Saul, to put a spear through the heart of his sleeping enemy.
How do we love our enemies when we do not feel like loving them? In the way that we awaken in the morning when we feel like sleeping; in the way that we work when we feel like relaxing. We just do it. We decide and follow through. Authentic love is hard work!
Who are my enemies whom I need to love? Will I choose and decide to love them and follow through on that decision? How will I manifest my love for them?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: In what way does this text teach me about magnanimity (generous in overlooking injury and insult, rising above pettiness and meanness)? Do I know any magnanimous people? What about me?
Saul was mean but David respected him because he was anointed. Can I disagree with someone and yet respect him/her?
Reading 2: What are some of the ways I bear the image of the earthly Adam? What does bearing the image of the heavenly Adam allow me to do?
Gospel: Who has hurt/mistreated me in some way? How can I pray for this person? Whom do I need to forgive? From whom do I need to seek forgiveness?
How often do I hold myself and others to unrealistic standards? How can I be more generous with others and with myself?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: The Father has been compassionate and merciful to us. Let us pray that his merciful love may mark our relationships toward everyone: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may be instruments of God’s mercy and compassion by sharing the forgiveness that we have received, we pray…
R: For the leaders of nations: that God may guide them to end weapon proliferation and use their resources to end famine, disease, and oppression, we pray…
R: For all who suffer violence: that they may rise above their wounds and be sources of hope and encouragement for others, we pray…
R: For all who have never experienced forgiveness: that they may encounter the free and healing gift of forgiveness through someone who loves as Jesus taught, we pray…
R: For all who are suffering: that God will free those unjustly held, bring justice to the oppressed, hope to those who are grieving, and healing to the sick, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that the Spirit may free us from returning evil for evil and instead guide us in confronting evil with love and mercy, we pray…
L: Merciful Father, you still love those who have been thankless and disloyal to you—and that includes us. Help us to give ourselves as you do that you may be our Father and we your children. Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
when I am injured,
you ask me to offer the other cheek!
You say: don’t lend and demand repayment,
but give more than what they ask.
There is no get-that-cloak-back when someone takes my coat;
instead, you say buy the person a wardrobe.
Lord,
let me do no harm,
never return hit for hit.
Help me always to forgive.
God of inexhaustible love,
pour your gift of love on me, over me and within me,
all of it, shaken down, overflowing.
Let me love the other well,
with your own prodigal and radical love.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Loving and merciful God,
your Son has spoken a demanding message.
Let us not take his words
as a challenge demanding an answer.
Give us the grace to love all people,
to forgive those who hurt us,
and to walk the extra mile.
Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
They’ll Know We Are Christians (version 1)
They’ll Know We Are Christians (version 2)
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