For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, in today's reading below, Jesus simply asks the people, (paraphrasing here), "If you are only Good to those who are Good to you, what's so great or unusual about that?" It's hardly grounds for applause or a pat on the back. And then He goes on to add, (paraphrasing again), "Even pagans and tax collectors do that." Big deal! So what's so nice about being nice to nice people? Jesus always challenges me to stretch myself beyond where I am and my comfort zone. Jesus lays out 'the way' we are to become. Father, You gave us Your Son and we are suppose to imitate Him. Jesus never wandered from the bad people, in fact, He hung out with them. So often we are taught not to hang out with the bad people. Jesus never thought the bad people would rub off on Him, His Intention was that He would rub off on them.
Thank You for the visual today because it is not easy to be nice to those who aren't nice to me, nor is it easy to Love those who couldn't care less about my Love. I know it is important for me to continually remember that we are all Your children, even the mean ones and the lost ones. Just as we would never want anyone to ignore or be unkind to our children, You would not want anyone to be unkind to Your children, even if they have wandered off their path. Thank You for this message today, You must of known I needed it.
Through Jesus Christ's Most Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face, I thank You for this awareness. Amen~
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 5:43-48
43 "You have heard that it was said, `You shall Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His Sun rise on the evil and on the Good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you Love those who Love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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