Have you ever felt betrayed? Perhaps a classmate spread false rumors about you, a friend turned their back on you, or a family member uttered words that cut deep. The sting of betrayal, the ache of injustice—it’s a pain we all know too well. And in those moments, the natural instinct is to revenge, to make them feel even a fraction of the hurt they caused us.

But then, Jesus speaks. And His words challenge everything we think we know:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)

This is not just a pious suggestion; it is a command. And it goes against everything the world teaches us.

The Strength of Mercy

In today’s First Reading, we meet David at a crucial moment. Hunted by King Saul, he finds himself standing over his enemy, who lies asleep and defenseless. The perfect opportunity for revenge is right before him—yet David does something extraordinary. He spares Saul’s life.

Why? Because David understands something most of us struggle with: true strength is not found in retaliation, but in mercy.

Society often tells us that power comes from fighting back, from making others suffer as we have suffered. But Jesus offers a different path. The greatest power is not in destruction but in forgiveness. It takes far more courage to show love than to seek revenge.

Living as the Image of Christ

St. Paul reminds us in today’s Second Reading that we are called to reflect the image of Christ, the “heavenly man.” But what does this mean in our daily lives?

Ask yourselves:

1. When someone wrongs me, do I react with anger or with patience?\
2. Do I hold grudges, or do I forgive as Christ forgave me?
3. Do I choose love, even when it is difficult?

Being a Christian is more than attending Sunday Mass. It means carrying Christ’s love into our everyday encounters—especially when it is hardest to do so.

A Love Unlike Any Other

Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel (Luke 6:27-38) seem almost impossible to follow. Love our enemies? Do good to those who hate us? Bless those who curse us? This is the opposite of how the world operates. We live in a time when cancel culture thrives, where holding grudges is seen as empowerment, and where hatred fuels division.

Yet Jesus calls us to something higher: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)

This is what makes Christianity different. We do not love because others deserve it. We love because God loved us first.

Loving our enemies is difficult, but not impossible. Here’s how we can start:

✅ Pray for those who hurt you. Instead of holding onto anger, surrender them to God. Prayer softens the heart and heals wounds.

✅ Forgive, even when it’s hard. Forgiveness is not weakness; it is freedom. It doesn’t mean forgetting, but it means refusing to be chained by hatred.

✅ Choose kindness over revenge. If someone spreads gossip about you, don’t retaliate. Instead, respond with grace and dignity.

✅ Be a peacemaker. In a world filled with online drama and division, choose to be a voice of peace rather than conflict.

Loving your enemies is not about ignoring justice or tolerating wrongdoing. It is about transforming the cycle of hatred into a cycle of grace. And this kind of radical love—the love of Christ—is the only force strong enough to heal a divided world.

+JMJ