Imagine a moment when Jesus shared wisdom about loving your neighbor. He urged us to treat others as we would like to be treated. It sounds simple, but Jesus emphasized that true love is not only for those who love us back. After all, even sinners can do it!
When we are kind to those who are kind to us, this is not a manifestation of special grace, because such actions are characteristic even of those who do not know love. And even if we share with those who share with us, it does not make us great, because even bad people are capable of the same deeds.
But Jesus called us to raise the bar: love your enemies! Act with kindness and generosity, even if you expect nothing in return. When we do this, we become God's children. He loves everyone—even the ungrateful, even the hurtful. Therefore, we should strive to be merciful like our Heavenly Father.
- How did Jesus say we should treat others?
- Do you remember a time when someone treated you unfairly? How would you like to be treated? How could you show kindness to those people?
- Who does Jesus call us to love?
- If we do good and share with others without expecting anything in return, who will we become?
- How does God show his kindness to all?
- What concrete steps can you take to be merciful to others?
BE KIND, EVEN WHEN IT'S HARD
One day, Jesus was talking about loving others. He said that we should treat other people like we want them to treat us. He also said that if we love someone who loves us, that is not a special thing. He said even sinners do that. If we are kind to people who are kind to us, that is not special, either. Even sinners do that. And, if we share with people who share with us, that is not special because sinners share when they know someone will share with them. But Jesus said that we need to love our enemies. He said we should do what is good and share with others. He said we should not think they will give us anything back. If we do this, we will be God's children. Jesus said that God is kind to everyone, even people who are not thankful. He is even kind to bad people! Jesus said we should be full of mercy, just like our Father God is.
- How does Jesus say we should treat others?
- Has anyone ever been mean to you? How did you want them to treat you? How does Jesus say you should treat them?
- Who should we love?
- If we do what is good and share with others without thinking they will give us anything back, what will we be?
- Who does God treat kindly?
- How can you be full of mercy to others?
