Jesus said to his disciples, "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 that strikes you on the cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person that 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. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love only those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your father is merciful. "Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
Consideration: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." These words sum up this entire scripture message. To follow this message is not easy for us to understand because Jesus is telling us to extend love in all of its many forms even when we have been victims of those we are called to love. May God extend to us the graces necessary to overcome the voices in our hearts that will demand us to expect what is ours in return, rather than extend to others what is of God; total surrender and love. Amen.
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