Greetings Franciscans, I hope all is well.

When I say “I hope all is well”, I know that each of you has things going on in your life that may not be fulfilling or may be downright fearful. What I mean is that you be given the strength to face them with the knowledge that you are loved and that you possess a peace that can only come from God.

The Gospel (Luke 6:27-38) for today’s Morning Prayer is counterintuitive for our culture but it does, if we live into it, give us the strength to go forward when all else tells us that it is futile. Jesus says.

“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.

It’s a difficult passage. It strikes directly at ego, at self-preservation, at fairness. One facet of this gospel passage is to put in focus what we cling to, what is important to our very being, and what will sustain us in a world that is often cruel, hurtful, and harmful. This passage does not set well with hammers but it may be just what our relationship with God the provider, the comforter, the protector, and the sustainer needs to go deeper into the mystery of divine love. Peace. Ben+