Scripture reading
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
–Luke 6:27-28
Thought of the Day
If you are like me, you have experienced the whole range of emotions over the past couple of weeks. I know that you too have been greatly bothered by the outpouring of hate that some have shown since September 11th. There was enough hatred exhibited that terrible day. Last Saturday night I was flipping around channels on the TV and stopped on the movie about Medgar Evers, the civil rights leader who was assassinated by a white supremacist back in the sixties. The movie is about how the killer was finally brought to trial after many years. There was a scene between his wife and children that grabbed me. In it the Evers’ children asked their mom how in the world could she keep from hating the man who killed their father, her husband. What she said was awesome. She told how her late husband had taught her a lot about hate. She said, “when you hate, the only person that it hurts is yourself. Most of the time the people you hate don’t know it and the others don’t care”.
Those are great words I think. Now is not the time to let hatred determine who you are. Now is the time to let love shine through. As hard as it is at a time like this when it is easier to hate, we need to trust in Him who defines love. I think you know His name. Jesus the Christ.
Prayer
Awesome God, where there is hatred, let me sow love. Amen.