“Love your enemies” might be one of the toughest lines in the Bible to carry out. Yet this command – to love as God loves us – is the test of our discipleship. May we call upon the Lord for the grace we need to follow the example of Jesus, loving one another…even our enemies.
As Queen Esther calls upon the Lord, she is carrying out the teaching that Jesus offers to his disciples: ask, seek and knock…trusting that the Lord (who knows us better than we know ourselves) will respond with what we need to face the challenges of life.
God calls every generation to repentance as we observe in the book of Jonah and the Gospel of Luke today. Rather than chase after miracles, wonders and signs, may we respond to this ongoing call to conversion of heart – turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord.
As Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer he also reveals the power of forgiveness to transform and heal our lives. This commandment – at times difficult to carry out – is crucial for us to receive the Lord’s forgiveness as we forgive one another.
This presentation was given at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Solon Springs on March 6, 2017. It is the first part of a presentation on discipleship, focusing on repentance and ongoing conversion. (45 Minutes)
Temptation is a part of life, and the fall of Adam & Eve remind us that we encounter temptations each day as a result of sin. We have hope, however, for the triumph of Jesus over the temptations of Satan inspires us to return to the Lord when we fail and seek the grace we need to flourish.
Jesus calls the tax collector Levi, with the simple invitation “follow me.” His life is transformed, and we know him today as St. Matthew; may our lives be transformed as well…every time we say yes to Christ and invite others to meet the Lord.
The Lord invites us to follow Him and take up our Cross as we crucify selfishness and sin. As we repent and embrace the Good News, may we draw strength from the one who offers us the wisdom and direction to find our way.