Sunday Reflection

Sunday, 24th February, 2019

            WHOM SHOULD I FORGIVE❓

Reflection for the 7th Sunday  in Ordinary time by Rev. Fr. Theodore Martinos.

                   Today Jesus Presents us which what we may term “Impossible”, he says “LOVE YOUR ENEMIES”. A Continuation from the gospel of last week(The beatitudes), he says to us today, Your enemy is worthy of your Love and Forgiving your enemy is indeed the greatest and  hardest Miracle which is a challenge to many of Us!

This is the only Religion (The Catholic church) where you see in clear terms a COMMAND – Not an Advice , to Love your Enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who Curse you.

That Person That is trying to sabotage your destiny, that person that violently abuses you, that betrayed your trust, Cheated you, Backstabbed you, Killed you, Dispossessed you of your possession, that your spouse that betrayed your marital Vow and Home , Jesus says today – Forgive and Show Love to them!

It may not be possible with you Physical powers but it takes Divine grace! And only by you showing Forgiveness to your enemy can you be called A Son/Daughter of God!
Note , that you show forgiveness doesn’t mean you condone their action, what’s is important is you DO NOT Repay back evil or take revenge!

A Classical example is David in the bible , after Saul had haunted and tormented him and sought to kill him, a golden opportunity presents itself when King Saul fell asleep alongside his 3000 Soldiers! But despite Abisha’s advice and pressure for David to take revenge , David insisted ” I will not Lift my hand’s against the Lord’s annointed”
How many of us and Refer to your Enemy as ” Annointed ” and Refuse to “Fight the  battle yourself “

One thing you should also note is your enemies enjoy a special protection from God -Refer to the Biblical Account of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4-15)

Three things Jesus Proposes Today:

1⃣Forgiveness To say You Cannot Forgive in itself is a Sin that cannot be Forgiven because your Limiting God’s Mercy!

2⃣Love❤ – If We can disrespect God’s command and go ahead to sin that itself is making yourself the greatest enemy of God but God’s Love and mercy which is ever sufficient Accepts us back ..We should show this same Love to our “Neighbor”

3⃣ Submission of your Battle to God!

I Leave you with the words of Romans 12:18 -21

“18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head”.

Happy Sunday! And have a great week ahead!👍🏽