1 kings 21:17-29; Ps 51 Be merciful O Lord, for we have sinned; Matt 5:43-48
Jesus tells us today to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute you, that yo may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes the sun rise on the bad and the good a like, and cause rain to fall on the just and the unjust…
We get it. We understand what Jesus is saying. What is the practical application of loving our enemy?
First of all, loving someone doesn't mean we just look past their shortcomings. What good is that?
How can any grow and become the man or woman they are created to be without ever being challenged or held accountable?
To love someone means to challenge them, confront then that is bring to the from the reality they are living whether they are aware of t or not.
Elijah does this in today's first reading. He points out to King Ahab that path of destruction he is headed because of the choices and lifestyle he has chosen.
Elijah wasn't hollering. Elijah wasn't demeaning. Elijah wasn't pouting or nagging. Elijah simply stated the fact and the truth of the matter, "because you have given yourself up to doing evil in the sight of the LORd, i am bringing evil upon you." It isn't Elijah who is bringing evil upon Ahab but rather Ahab's decisions and choices have created the evil environment in which he has chosen to live.
But when faced with the truth, King Ahab is cut to the heart and begins to repent and change.
Why is there so much evil and not enough change in our society? No one holds any one accountable anymore. We tolerate evil rather than stare it down.
We need a does up the Spirit of Elijah and his courage and valor as well that w emay truly love our enemies and become children of our heavenly father.
No comments:
Post a Comment