"Your kingdom come…"

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. (Luke 6: 32-35)

A friend of mine recently shared with me how she had lifted up in prayer someone with whom she was angry. She said it was as if, after her prayer, God took away her anger. She felt like her relationship was soothed, and she gained a new perspective on the conflict with this person, and she also had a renewed feeling of love and appreciation for the person, realizing that each of us are children of God, part of the kingdom, imperfect sinners.

I don’t know if this relationship was perfectly healed and restored by this one prayer, but a window was opened that let the light of the gospel in. Love and forgiveness are elements that the kingdom of heaven brings into our lives. Jesus teaches us that because we are part of the kingdom, with God as our ruler, we are free to bring our sins, our hurt and our anger to him, and to be refreshed with his grace.

Prayer for today

Grace filled God, fill our lives with your grace. Teach us that because you forgive us, we are free to forgive others, and that when we see even our enemies as your children, we realize that your kingdom is big enough for us all. Thank you for your guiding presence in our lives. Amen.