Reflections for May 31

Jesus calls us to pray for and love our enemies. These are people who have hurt us. How can we do this? We can acknowledge the hurt without judgment, even when we can’t understand their motives or actions. We can start with a prayer for their well-being and focus on letting go of our own pain. Forgiveness is often mistaken for condoning the offense or opening oneself up to being hurt again. This fear can be a significant barrier. Spiritual teachings often highlight that holding onto anger and resentment is detrimental to one’s own soul and well-being. While loving or forgiving enemies is far from easy and can be an arduous process, it is a powerful and transformative act. It is a path to psychological well-being, inner peace, and spiritual growth. We don’t understand them, but we need to love and pray for them. These principles extend beyond just forgiveness; they call us to acts of everyday love and significance. I loved the story about the boy who bought a bowl of ice cream instead of something that cost more so he could leave a tip for the server. He took that extra step. He showed the server their significance. We know the care we have received, and we can share that with others. Where will we put down our tip so people know how loved they are? Reflections from Deborah Kelly. Share your reflections with deborah@rbcommunity.org and let me know your thoughts.