On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight we reflect on Jesus' words in today's gospel: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
I'm not sure I have any real enemies, Lord,
but there are people in my life whom I find hard to love
and times when they might seem to be my enemy
when, in reality, they're just folks who
- tick me off
- have different tastes
- push my buttons
- vote Republican
- challenge me
- have more friends
- talk too much
- disagree with me
- have what I wish I had
- have more smarts
- rattle my cage
- do things differently
- are always late
- fail to please me
- have talents I wish I had
- make me jealous
- vote Democrat
- get on my nerves
- are better looking
- make me envious and jealous...
Yup!
Those are the folks I find hard to embrace, Lord,
the people I'm quicker to curse than pray for
- the very ones you call me to love...
So, tonight I pray for humility,
for patience and understanding
and for the wisdom I need
to see my neighbor as you do, Lord:
with understanding, mercy and love,
shared fully, freely and with forgiveness...
Help me love my "enemies," Lord,
and all those who, just in general
- bug the living daylights out of me!
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me as I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep rest in your peace...
Amen.
Love Your Enemies by Kyle Sigmon
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