Jesus told His disciples, “Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, pray for those who are not nice to you. If someone hits you, turn the other cheek. If someone asks for your coat, give him your shirt also. Give what you have to others and if they take it do not ask for it back. Treat others just as you want to be treated. Love your enemies, and do good, and give, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of God, for he is kind to all. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; forgive and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you."
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
Who do you love? God, your dad and mom, your sister and brother, your friends and family, your pets. We love so many people. Is it easy to love? (response) What about someone who is not nice to you? (response) Do you think it is easy to love them? (response) Why or Why not? It is not always easy to love someone who is not being a good friend to us, is it?
In the gospel today, we heard that Jesus wants us to love everyone, even if they are not kind to us or hurt our feelings. Do you know why? Jesus loves everyone just as they are, and he forgives them when they make sad choices. That means that even if your making sad choices God loves you. God can help all of us make happy choices and he needs us to help everyone, too.
Have you ever heard of the golden rule? (response) It means to treat others as you would like to be treated. God wants us to do this. He says be a good friend to everyone and give love and be kind to everyone even if they may not be nice to you. He also wants us to pray for everyone, too. Do you think this is easy? (response) It is not always easy but with Jesus’ help, we can do it. By sharing this love with others, they will want to share it, too.
Questions for the week: 1) What is the golden rule? (Treat others the way you want to be treated) 2) How did Jesus say we should treat those who are unkind to us? (We should love them and be kind to them) 3) Who helps us treat others with kindness when they are not kind to us? (Jesus in our lives to help us) 4) Should we forgive someone that makes us sad? Why? (Yes, because Jesus forgives us when we are sorry for making sad choices) 5) What can you do if someone is not a good friend to you? (Be a good friend to them, pray for them, share a toy with them, be kind to them)
Challenge for the week: Continue with JAM and be a friend to those who might not be your friend. What can you do for them this week? How can you use your time, talent, and treasure for others?