The words spoken by Jesus in today’s Gospel always remind me of a love song.
These words are a love song of redemption and restoration that Jesus sings over each of us. Jesus Who asked broken, hurting, and flawed men to be His greatest disciples, He tells us to "love your enemies" (Luke 6:27).
Jesus Who saw the beauty and dignity of His beloved daughters, and in His mercy drew a line in the sand, He tells us to "bless those who curse you" (Luke 6:28).
Jesus Who walked on water, healed the sick, and raised the dead to life tells us that we will be called "children of the Most High" (Luke 6:35).
As I prayed through this Gospel reading, I was struck the most by the verse where Jesus says,
"Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).
Sometimes we close our hearts, holding within them stone after stone of condemnation for every person who has wronged us.
Other times we hold stones for those who do not live up to the standards of holiness we have set for ourselves, therefore we become accusers rather than healers.
It is easier to judge the broken parts of others than to face the broken parts of ourselves and surrender them to Jesus. The amazing thing is that Jesus calls us to, “love one another” even knowing our weaknesses and all the ways we would fall short.
When we allow our hearts to be pierced open by the One Who gazes at us with overwhelming love, we can become vessels of mercy spreading hope in a world that is aching for it.
When we pray this prayer, we bring our wounds to Jesus.
Leana Bowler lives in Arizona with her husband, five children, feisty grandma, and three dogs. She love Jesus, writing jokes, books, strong coffee, and drawing upgraded stick figure people. You can find out more about her here.
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