"Beads of Joy" by RosaryManJim: Love Your Enemies

BEADS OF JOY 09-13-18

“Love Your Enemies”

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Luke 6:27-38 (Love of Enemies)

“But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinner’s love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And 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, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back."

Reflection:
This topic and focus is difficult for me. I don’t really have enemies. When I say “don’t really” I am referring to the general enemies; people who want to harm my family, people who wish to take away my freedoms and those threatening me because of my faith. All those enemies are not on a one-on-one personal level with me in my face. An overall general thought of love and forgiveness towards them showers my heart with love when I think of them. I know I am not living in a bubble, if I am then it’s leaking water; because my world is not full of sunshine and roses.

The real enemy I feel the most against these past few years was the cancer Chrissy died from, and the suffering she endured throughout those six years. They are the enemies. So, to be completely honest, when I look at them and remember what cancer and suffering did to my beautiful wife and our family, I hate them. I must embrace both of them. I have no trouble embracing my own suffering and even my own death; I can deal with that and embrace it, but watching someone I love suffer, is extremely difficult. But having said all that and here I am hine sight twenty-two months later, I will embrace the horror of cancer and suffering.

I must admit, this is very difficult. But, as the Lord tells us, let us pray for this enemy. This enemy has brought many tears to me and my family, we don’t fully understand all these things. On a positive note, it has brought us closer to one another and to our faith. So maybe, just maybe there is a glimmer of light here.

Love Your Enemies

(Bonus Video)
The Prodigal Son

w/ Bishop Robert Barron

Pondering these thoughts today: Sometimes our enemies aren’t always people, but illnesses that put us to the test of our faith. That is exactly sometimes what an enemy would do, test the purity of your faith and love and cut you to the core. I embrace this disease and all that comes with it, with a willing heart to find a way to see the positive in it. God knows my heart and He knows what this has already done to my Chrissy and our family.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)

Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!