![]() ![]() ![]() The enemies we pray for hurt us from their own world of hurt. When Jesus said, “They don’t know what they are doing,” He hinted at an important factor to keep in mind when we pray for our enemies. They had no idea what was actually taking place. Jesus had compassion on the deceived people who believed they were doing the right thing by killing the Son of God. He did not ask for their destruction He did not pray for revenge. He talked to His Father about the people who were harming Him. In the middle of His own agony, He cried out, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Jesus gave us a perfect example of praying for our enemies when He was being nailed to a cross. So, Jesus had enemies, and, when He said to pray for our enemies, He knew what He was talking about. His friends deserted Him in His worst moment (Mark 14:50), and the city who had cried “ Hosanna!” when He arrived in town shouted “Crucify Him!” a few days later (Mark 15:13). His own family was ashamed of Him and tried to make Him stop preaching (Mark 3:21). The religious leaders mocked and tried to trap Him (John 8:6). His own people rejected His message (John 1:11). ![]() He demonstrated that standard by never retaliating when someone wronged Him. However, Jesus calls us to a higher standard. They smeared our reputation we’ll smear theirs, too. They gossiped about us we’ll gossip about them. When someone sets out to cause us harm, our natural reaction is to protect ourselves and fight back. He had something better in mind that will benefit us as well as our enemies. But that is not what Jesus meant by praying for our enemies. When someone wrongs us, we’d like to pray that disaster falls on them! We may be tempted to pray the imprecatory psalms and hope to sit back and watch God exact vengeance on the evildoers, much like Jonah did outside of Nineveh. Our first response to that question is probably not the right one. In Matthew 5:43–45, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” It is clear that Jesus expects us to pray for our enemies, but how do we do that? Most familiar to us is the passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Thank you and I pray all those who visit here will be abundantly blessed.Several places in the Bible command us to pray for our enemies (Luke 6:27, 35 Romans 12:20). PLEASE ADVISE ME OF ANY GLARING TYPOS etc - In June 2021 I lost 95% sight in my left eye and sometimes miss errors. This site adheres to the Catholic Church and all her teachings. We do not use them, it is they who move usĪnd lead us, to where we had not expected to go.” This Site is placed under the Patronage of my many favourite Saints and especially, St Paul. This site, which is now using the Traditional Calendar, will mainly concentrate on Daily Prayers, Novenas and the Memorials and Feast Days of our friends in Heaven, the Saints who went before us and the great blessings the Church provides in our Catholic Monthly Devotions. Prayer is what the world needs combined with the example of our lives which testify to the Light of Christ. Not excluding even those who hate and attack us –Īnd the bad alike (Mt 5:45).” Blessed Titus Brandsma (1881-1942) MartyrĪnd die in God’s love.” Blessed Franz Jägerstätter (1907-1943)īeing a Catholic is a way of life - a love affair "Religion must be like the air we breathe."- St John Bosco “When we talk about the coming of the Kingdom ![]() If we have not that universal charity for everyone –Īs much as those who do us good.” St John Vianney (1786-1859) “All our religion is but a false religionĪnd we ourselves are only hypocrites in the sight of God, The desire of Christian Baptism.” St Paul Miki SJ (1564-1597) Martyr Since this way teaches me to forgive my enemies Or more pleasing to God than this.” St Bridget of Sweden (c 1303-1373) Without which, no-one will ever see God.” St Caesarius of Arles (470-543) If they merit to possess God by means of charity? … What do the rich possess if not charity? … “So hold fast to the sweet and salutary bond of love, Or bear any grudge against the sons of your own peopleīut, you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord” Leviticus 19:17-18Īnd pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:44 “You shall not hate your brother in your heartīut you shall reason with your neighbour, Quote/s of the Day – 16 June – “Month of the Sacred Heart” – Tuesday of the Eleventh week in Ordinary Time, Year A, Readings: 1 Kings 21:17-29, Psalm 51:3-6, 11, 16, Matthew 5:43-48 ![]()
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