First Monday of Lent

You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove him, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Loving our neighbor as ourselves is one of the keys to being good and faithful servants of God and followers of Christ. This calling means not only loving our family, friends, neighbors, and strangers when they are easy to love, but also when they are difficult to love. It means not condemning others for their faults, but also not condoning their actions when they are evil. It means casting aside all hatred and instead showing compassion… even to those who show none for us. It means turning the other cheek and holding no grudges. It means loving without hesitation or reservation… with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths for the simple reason that each of our neighbors was created in the image and likeness of God.

Who are the people in our lives we have the most difficulty loving as ourselves? How can we grow in love for these people and others? How can we put aside our own selfish responses to those who mistreat us and simply love them in spite of our feelings?

O Lord, help us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Amen.