Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48   43 "You have heard that it has been said, 'You must love your neighbor and hate those who hate you.' 44 But I tell you, love those who hate you. (*Respect and give thanks for those who say bad things to you. Do good to those who hate you.) Pray for those who do bad things to you and who make it hard for you. 45 Then you may be the sons of your Father Who is in heaven. His sun shines on bad people and on good people. He sends rain on those who are right with God and on those who are not right with God. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward can you expect from that? Do not even the tax gatherers do that? 47 If you greet only the people you like, are you doing any more than others? The people who do not know God do that much. 48 You must be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Meditation: What makes Christians different from others and what makes Christianity distinct from any other religion?  It is grace – treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated – with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can expect to benefit from doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil. How can we possibly love those who cause us harm or ill-will? With God all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ’s redeeming love and mercy?

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with your love that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter towards anyone.”

Psalm 51:3-6,11,16

 3 For I know my wrong-doing, and my sin is always in front of me.
 4 I have sinned against You, and You only. I have done what is sinful in Your eyes. You are always right when You speak, and fair when You judge.

 5 See, I was born in sin and was in sin from my very beginning.
 6 See, You want truth deep within the heart. And You will make me know wisdom in the hidden part.

 3 For I know my wrong-doing, and my sin is always in front of me.
 4 I have sinned against You, and You only. I have done what is sinful in Your eyes. You are always right when You speak, and fair when You judge.

 5 See, I was born in sin and was in sin from my very beginning.
 6 See, You want truth deep within the heart. And You will make me know wisdom in the hidden part.

16 For You are not happy with a gift given on the altar in worship, or I would give it. You are not pleased with burnt gifts.