Sermon text: Matthew 5:38-48
That your wholeness and glory will shine through us
You who love your enemies, we want to be like You. But how easily we are roused to anger and contemplate revenge. How quickly we would wreak havoc on those who have taken advantage of us, injured us, or oppressed us.
In Jesus, You call us to love our enemies—love those who abuse us, love those whom it is a great challenge for us to love. Just so, we are taught, we express our likeness to You who are Father and Mother to us. Just so, Jesus says, we express a wholeness that reflects your own wholeness.
Forgive us for our inclination toward revenge. Forgive us for quickly identifying others as our enemies. In your mercy, transform us. We know that we are unable to shape our own lives to mirror your own. But You are able to restore your image in us. You are able to shape us as bearers of your own love. You are able to let your wholeness, your glory, shine through our lives. Do so now. We ask through Christ Jesus who embodied your fullness among us. Amen.
Thoughts, and prayers from Pastor David Antieau at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ
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