For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, today's reading below serves as a gentle reminder that being Good is not just about connecting myself to Good people, Good places or Good things. I need to stretch myself and reach beyond the more easily accepted roles of influence and seek to make a positive impact where it is truly needed. Following Your Son The Christ's example, He turned to those who were outcast, imprisoned, sick or spiritually weak and never thought for a second that they might rub off on Him. In fact, Jesus thought He might rub off on them. So often we are taught to stay away from the bad people because they might negatively influence us instead of doing exactly what Jesus did, which is to get up close and personal with these individuals to purposefully and deliberately positively influence them. He accepted the unaccepted and made room for absolutely anyone to come into His fold. He was the kind of radical I want to be. His work was not glamorous but yet, it was beautiful.
Father, help me to be that kind of brave, that kind of firm and that kind of strong just as Your Son Jesus so wonderfully demonstrated for me. Sometimes I get caught up in my (or others) drama and minutia, which distracts me and diverts my attention from my purpose. I understand it is my responsibility to block distractions and to pick up and move on when it is time or where a welcome mat does not exist. Guide me Father. Tell me what to do, tell me what to say, tell me when to do it and tell me how to do it because I can not do it without You and from now on, I work for You!
Through Jesus Christ's Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face. ~Amen
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 6:27-38
27 "But to you who hear I say, Love your enemies, do Good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 For if you Love those who Love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners Love those who Love them.
33 And if you do Good to those who do Good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
34 If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit (is) that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
35 But rather, Love your enemies and do Good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as (also) your Father is merciful.
37 Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a Good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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