What joy could be greater than to be true sons and daughters of our heavenly Father? Christ calls us to a lofty and challenging ideal, but one that is capable of transforming lives. He continues to love and pour forth his gifts even when he is not loved in return. How much the world around us would change if those with whom we came into contact perceived in us a love like that of the Father of mercies! His love is absolutely without self-interest. “For he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (cf. “Children of Your Heavenly Father”: Why does Christ ask, even demand, of us such a radical form of love? Precisely because that is how God the Father loves each and every one of his sons and daughters, with no consideration of whether they are good or evil.It is precisely love as agape that Christ asks from every one of his followers: “Pray for those who persecute you.” In his book, Love and Responsibility, Karol Wojtyla remarks that to love someone with truly benevolent love is to will God for them, since God is the supreme good of each human person. Finally, agape is love as goodwill, benevolent love that cannot be conquered, a love that wills only the good for the person loved. Eros is the love of attraction between man and woman. Storge refers to the love between parents and children. True Love for Your Enemies: Nowhere does the radical newness of the Christian ethic stand out more clearly than in Christ’s simple phrase: “Love your enemies.” There are four words for “love” in Greek.Petition: Lord, help me to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. As I begin this moment of prayer, I turn to you as one in need. However, I believe in your words, and I trust in you because you alone have the words of eternal life. Introductory Prayer: Lord, you present a message that is not easy for my fallen nature to accept. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘ You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. You can also find help in A.A.Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time If you’re struggling with addiction or are looking for a way out, please reach out and contact me. I want to share my story, because it may be the one you need today. Instead having experienced these hardships makes us appreciate our own life experiences just a little bit more now when things seem easier for me because at least whatever happened didn’t kill my spirit like other peoples’ did (even though many don’t survive long enough). Some have much deeper scars than others do or had worse lives before they found A.A., which doesn’t make them any less worthy of love – But as time went on it became clear that not all people are made equal in this world Who am I to judge anyone? When I first entered the Fellowship, everyone was so welcoming and kind. Imagine, if you can, one alcoholic judging another! THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART, p. The way our “worthy” alcoholics have sometimes tried to judge the “less worthy” is, as we look back on it, rather comical. Keep your head up, and don’t give up on yourself. How can you make Alcoholics Anonymous work for you? Take some time for reflection, and write down your goals for sobriety. Today is a new day, and you can make the decision to get your life back on track. Even though you may be feeling the effects of alcohol this holiday season, it’s important to keep in mind that there is still hope.
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