Fourth Tuesday of Ordinary Time

But the king asked the Cushite, "Is young Absalom safe?" The Cushite replied, "May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you with evil intent be as that young man!" The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, "My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!"

It isn’t easy loving our enemies. The temptation is to wish them evil, especially if they have done evil to us and caused suffering in our own lives. However, if we want to be followers of Christ and do God’s Will, then we must put aside our feelings of revenge and instead pray for our enemies. When those who have done us wrong suffer or even die, we should be the first in line not to gloat, but to comfort and forgive. Jesus showed us how to give our lives for the good of even those who persecute us and we would do well to remember his example when we are tempted to strike back against those who have done us wrong.

Who are the people in our lives whom we have the most difficulty loving? How can we put aside our grievances and treat them with love and mercy? Are we willing to put aside our feelings and comfort our enemies during their own times of trial and suffering?

O Lord, give us the grace to love even our enemies.

Amen.