18 June 2024 - Only By Grace Reflections

#OnlyByGraceReflections #CFC #CouplesforChrist

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TOPIC: ARE YOU READY TO LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AS YOU DO GOD’S MISSION?

First Reading: First Kings 21: 17-29
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16
Alleluia: John 13: 34
Gospel: Matthew 5: 43-48

Christ reminds us of the necessary extra mile that we should undertake while following Him. That extra mile is the decision to love, even to love our enemies! Christ knew very well that following Him would not be easy, for we would experience persecution even from people whom we least expect. However, that is part of the challenge of desiring to be like Him.

As we serve God, there are times when it is not the activities that challenge us and sometimes cause us pain, but rather the experience of being persecuted, misjudged, or even betrayed at times. And so, Christ reminds us to remember and to live out this extra mile - not only to love those who are good to us, but to extend even more love to those who persecute us. We need to pray for them, to reconcile with them.

Christ went even further. He reminded His followers of the need to be holy and to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. The road to holiness invariably includes the difficult task of loving our enemies. It will help to remember that the people around us, those who wrong and persecute us, are not our real enemy, but rather Satan, only Satan! Therefore, let us love our brethren, our neighbor, as Christ loves them!

This is the 1513th installment of our CFC contemplation series focusing on the daily liturgical readings.

[NOTE: As we continue to pray for Bro Bong Arjonillo’s healing and recovery, let us listen to our brother Lawrence Quintero, a member of the CFC International Council, as he brings us today's reflection.

All the regular reflections are between 3-7 minutes long, enough time for us to ponder what God's message is for us individually and to pray that we may live them out in our lives. This video is also available on Couples for Christ’s Facebook page. In You Tube, just type ONLY BY GRACE REFLECTIONS]