WEEK ELEVEN: THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT Day 4
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Prayer on Luke 6: 27-30: Love of Enemies: "But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back." [Please read Luke 6: 27-36 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; then pray using Luke 6: 27-30; ask for an intimate knowledge of our Lord, who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely (#104)
Jesus is asking us to behave as He did, to have our sinful hearts and dispositions replaced by His covenant love and service of us. Even while we were sworn enemies in our sinfulness, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loved us as 'friends,' determined to offer us a share in God's divine life! Jesus tells us on several occasions that He came not for the just but to answer the needs of sinners. He expresses a special fondness for sinners and seeks their company. While He knows of our human condition better than we do, especially our penchant for sabotaging the good within us, He believes with all His heart, that sinners, such as ourselves, have been called to profound transformation through the Holy Spirit. The purpose of His mission is to bring us salvation and union with God, to think, act, and be like Him. Like Jesus we are called to be forgiving, compassionate, and generous in our service of others: "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (verse 28)... Do to others as you would have them do to you" (verse 31)... Be merciful as [also] your Father is merciful." (verse 36) This transformation will take place through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit, it is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that I lean upon for I know my own weaknesses and inabilities when I measure myself to Jesus, I do not even come close. When I beg for help it is always there, the right kind of help. "Give to everyone who begs from you" Luke 6:30a Do I reciprocate in like manner as God does with me? Sometimes yes, sometimes no for I pass judgement. This transformation will take place through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for I am weak and He is strong. Greater is He that that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
What is God saying to you? Time and obedience, you know what I have been saying to you but you have been ignoring it. Transformation requires your openness to My will, fight it if you will and learn to enjoy this place. Love will conquer all.
Dear Lord, Bless this day and all it has to offer. You are so good to me and I am blessed beyond measure. Prayers for the love of my earthly life celebrating a birthday today, may she be blessed with beautiful memories as she does what she loves to do, giving it away with family. Thank You Father for the sound of children running in the house and parents teaching them what love is. Keep us warm and protected Father this cold winter day. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Faithful Guardian of Christ, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey.
St Joesph, Novena Day 3
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
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