Good morning boys and girls!
Has there ever been a time in your lives when you did not like someone? Why?
Sometimes it’s not easy to like people, especially when people haven’t been nice to us. I know, because when I was your age a lot of kids at school didn’t like me. In other words, I was bullied. There were many times when I wanted to fight back, but I didn’t because I didn’t have the mental and physical strength to do so, and also because I knew that my father would find out at some point and he would not be very happy (to put it mildly, and if you want to know why, ask your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles if they had Mr. Condon for a teacher or principal, and if they did, they can tell you some REAL horror stories). Bullying hurts, and the effects still bother me today.
I didn’t try to get even, but I didn’t love them either. Perhaps I should have listened to Jesus and what he said in his Sermon on the Mount. He said some things that surprised a lot of people. For example, he said “You have heard it said that you should love your neighbours and hate your enemies, but I’m telling you that you should love your enemies as well, and you should pray for them”.
Why should we love those who hate us? Well, when we do, we show God’s love to them. It also sets a good example for us to follow, and it turns enemies into friends.
Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes for a moment of prayer. Dear God, thank you for loving us. Help us to love everyone, including those who hate us. Help us to love them like you love us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.
