Jesus speaks frequently about forgiveness, mercy and loving our enemies. This must have been a difficult thing for his followers to hear. They were an oppressed and occupied people under the thumb of the Roman Empire. Many expected that when the Messiah came, he would cast down their foreign oppressors and reestablish the Kingdom of Israel with worldly military power.
But the Kingdom of God is not a kingdom of soldiers and armaments but a Kingdom of justice, peace and reconciliation. As the King of Kings, Jesus exhorts us to extend mercy to everyone we meet—even those we have reason to hate. For if God has shown mercy to we who have rebelled against him and his commandments, how can we not show mercy to those who have sinned against us?
Loving Our Enemies: "You don't love in your enemies what they are, but what you would have them become." St. Augustine
Irene, I love that! Yes, praying for a conversion of heart for LC.
Thank you Jonathan for reminding us of the need to extend mercy to everyone but especially those who can easily get under our skin or those who have caused harm by their words and deeds. It dovetails perfectly into Kristin’s 30-day challenge which I accept as well. Praying for all the needs and intentions of all of you on this beautiful St. Patrick’s Day. Jesus, Son of God and Savior of the world, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Good to hear from you again, Bill S. Hope all is well with you. Prayers to all in need on this special day. “May your heart be light and happy, may your smile be big and wide, and may your pockets always have a coin or two inside!” The other Bill!
God's justice and mercy are the two sides of the same coin ✝️ *** What is good news without the bad news? Nothing really! *** Here is the bad news first, "We are not sinners because we sin, we sin because we are sinners!" *** Here is the Good News in Romans 3:23-24, "Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory. The free gift of God’s grace makes us right with hHm. Christ Jesus paid the price to set us free!"
******* Starting a 40-day prayer journal specifically for my daughter, Katie, the self proclaim agnostic to come back and walk with Jesus, her Savior and soon to be Lord ✝️ ***Day eight - I am sorry, Lord! Katie and I have both sinned against You and ignoring You :-( Daniel 9:4-6, 9, "I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, Who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from Your commands and laws. We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your Name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land...The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him;" *** Clinging to Your Word, Oh Lord! John 6-63b, 68b, "The Words I (Jesus) have spoken to you are full of the Spirit. They give life...You have the Words of eternal life!" *** I pray in Psalm 79:9, 11, 13, "God our Savior, help us. Then glory will come to You. Save us and forgive our sins. Then people will honor Your Name...Listen to the groans of the prisoners. Use Your strong arm to save people sentenced to death..We are Your people, Your very own sheep. We will praise You forever. For all time to come we will keep on praising You!" Amen ✝️
AMEN!
"0 Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom, pardon, and joy. Transform my heart with your love that nothing may make me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, or make me bitter towards anyone." Amen
Thank you, Miguel, for sharing your prayers. I look forward to seeing them, praying them, and trying to live them.
Amen.
Peace to everyone. Amen!
Amen.☮️
Praying for the Pope. Praying for immigrants, for workers losing their jobs, and for the poor, hungry and sick across the world who are in need of food and medical aid. Praying for Ukraine and its people.
Amen... thank you Jonathan...I am eternally a work in progress...I thank you Lord for the Grace of seeing me through all my shortcomings
Amen
Amen!
Living Faith provides brief daily Catholic devotions based on one of the Mass readings of the day. Published new each quarter, these reflections are written by women and men from a variety of backgrounds - lay people as well as clergy and religious. Learn more.
Receive a free reflection for Sundays every week via email
About Living Faith Living Faith Foundation Ambassador Privacy Policy F.A.Q. Contact Us
© 2025 Creative Communications for the Parish, a division of Bayard, lnc. All Rights Reserved.
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those in need. Come to the side of those experiencing violence in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, and the Sudan. Please hear the pleas of all those suffering around the world - and give them strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.