Love the meanies

Open with Prayer: God, we thank you for this time together, for the technology that makes it possible, and the hearts that connect us. Be with us as we travel, join us in this journey, and help us see and hear you always. Amen.

Read: Luke:27-38
‘But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

‘If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

‘Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.’

Talk:

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
What does that mean to you?
How is it different from “do to others as they have done to you?”
Is that difference important?

What do you think it looks like to love our enemies? or to love people who just aren’t nice?
Maybe it looks like ignoring the bully who is calling people names.
Maybe it looks like wondering why they are so angry. (and realizing it has nothing do to with you.)

How difficult is it to love our enemies?
Maybe we can remember that God loves them. Just like God loves us.
They are beloved children of God, just like us.

Can you say, outloud, “(name of mean person) is a Beloved Child of God.
Use their name. See their face when you say it.

We can love these people, and not get close to them.
We can love these people, and still disagree with what they do.
We can love these people, even if they don’t love us.
We can love these people, because God is with us as we do.

Finish with Prayer: 

God, thank you for being with us when it’s difficult to love our enemies.
We pray for them (you can say their names if you’d like) and ask you to help them love others, too.

God, today we thank you for: (something or someone you’re grateful for)
God, today we need your help with: (something hard or difficult you need to do)
God, today please be with: (someone who may be sick, sad, or hurt)
We ask all this in Jesus’ name.

Amen