Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

"By the waters of Babylon,
there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.
...our captors required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
'Sing us one of the songs of Zion!'

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?"
(Ps. 137:1, 3-4).

Reflection:

Homesickness is something most of us can identify
with. Most of us have experienced the deep longing
-- the physical ache -- that comes with homesickness.
In the blockbuster Broadway musical, "Les Miserables,
" the most poignant solo -- the song which moves
audiences to tears -- is called "Bring Him Home!"
It touches something in us.

We have been created by a Gracious God with a
built-in homesickness. The experience of emptiness
is part of what makes us human. It is the sense of
incompleteness -- until we find home. It is the sense
of powerlessness -- until we find home. It is the sense
of hopelessness -- until we find our home in God. The
experience of emptiness, while it has to be dealt with
for what it is, nevertheless is more than just a passing
experience. It is a call to come home -- to God!

(Sunday Sermons Online)

One rainy Sunday afternoon, a young couple were
on their way to their Church to get married. On the
way there, their car lost control and slammed into
a telephone pole – killing them both instantly.The
couple soon found themselves standing in front of
St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, welcoming them to
Heaven. The young woman asks Peter if they
could get married in Heaven, since their time on
Earth was cut short. He replies that he’ll get back
with them on that request. A month later, St. Peter
finds them and announces that they can – in fact –
get married in Heaven. To his suprise, the woman
asks “Just wondering, if things don’t work out will
we be able to get a divorce?” With a stern look in
his eye, Peter blurts out “Look lady, it took me a
month to find a preacher up here… you really think
I’m gonna find a lawyer?”

Scripture:

Read: Matthew 5:43-48

But I say to you, love your enemies . . .
do good to those who hate you. —
Matthew 5:44

Reflection:

During the US Civil War, hatred became
entrenched between the North and South.
In one instance, President Abraham Lincoln
was criticized for speaking of benevolent
treatment for the Southern rebels. The critic
reminded Lincoln that there was a war going
on, the Confederates were the enemy, and
they should be destroyed. But Lincoln wisely
responded, “I destroy my enemies when I
make them my friends.”

Lincoln’s comment is insightful. In many ways
it reflects Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the
Mount: “I say to you, love your enemies, bless
those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use
you and persecute you, that you may be sons
of your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:44-45).

We will encounter difficult people in our lives—
some on whom we will need to set limits. But
to give in to the temptation to undermine or hurt
them in any way is not God’s way. Instead, we
should pray for them, show consideration, look
out for their best interests, and emphasize the
positive. This may result in changing an enemy
into a friend.

Not everyone will respond positively to us, but
we can pray and plan for a more harmonious
relationship. What difficult person can you start
befriending?

Prayer:

Lord, some people in my life are difficult to love.
I am tempted not even to try to care. But You
showed love to me even when I was Your enemy.
Please direct me into ways to love with Your
power and grace. It’s hard to hate someone when
you’re doing something good for him.

(Our Daily Bread)