Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Heavenly Father” (From Matthew 5:43-48)

We’re ALL made in the image of likeness of God as we hear in Genesis, but Jesus says here that in order to be “children of your Heavenly Father,” we need to “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.”  Well, are we children of our Heavenly Father based on that criteria?  How many of us pray for those who persecute us?  How many of us love our enemies?  When mocked and ridiculed, do we turn towards love or towards anger and revenge?  When they talk smack about you, do you just take it and move on or do you say something snarky back?  If you’re being ignored and your texts and messages aren’t being returned, do you offer up a prayer for that person or do you become bitter and upset?  Jesus’s own community members tried to throw him off a cliff—yet he prayed for them and suffered for them with love anyway.  Medical personnel and public health officials are receiving threats and are being dragged through the mud—yet they keep putting their lives on the line for others!  Law enforcement officials and teachers have had to endure probably the worst year of their careers with public scorn and hateful rhetoric thrown their way—yet they keep doing their very best for us, our kids, and our communities.  How about you?  Will you lay down your life out of love for others and pray for those who persecute you?  Jesus says it’s how we’re called the children of God, my sisters and brothers in Christ, so we better get to loving and praying for ALL today!  Amen