Lectionary: 81C
Read: Luke 6:27-38
Gospel Summary
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus spells out what it means to honor the Commandment of love. It means loving your enemies, doing good to those who hate you, blessing those who curse you, and praying for those who mistreat you. It means giving to everyone who asks of you and doing to others as you would have them do to you. The ending of this passage includes four additional directions concerning the way of love—stop judging, stop condemning, forgive, and give.
Reflection for Parents
Today is a good day to take a love inventory. Jot down the eight practical directions given in the Gospel Summary regarding honoring the Commandment of love: love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you; stop judging; stop condemning; forgive; and give. On a scale of 1-5, with 5 being “living in love,” rate yourself as a parent, as a spouse, and as a follower of Jesus Christ. Where are you living in love? Where is there room for growth and change?
Bringing the Good News Into Your Family
Create a family love inventory that includes four of the practical directions given in today’s Gospel: do to others as you would have them do to you; lend expecting nothing back; forgive; and give. Explain the scale of 1-5, with 5 being “living in love.” Rate yourselves two times. First, rate yourselves as a family according to how you show love to one another. Second, rate yourselves as a family according to how you show love to those outside of your home—for example, how you show love to neighbors, friends, other family members, and so forth. Ask yourselves where you are living in love and where there is room for growth and change. Make a family action plan and follow the plan.
Discussion Starters
- Someone who loves others like Jesus asks us to love is . . .
- For me, the hardest part of Jesus’ Commandment to love is . . . because . . .
- This week I will show love to . . . by . . .
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