theROCK

Love Your Enemies

I recently found myself sitting in Eucharistic Adoration thinking about how weird this practice must look to someone who isn’t Catholic. A bunch of people sitting around a bedazzled piece of bread on a pedestal thinking it was God. How weird! But I believe it. I know it! First and foremost because Jesus told me He was in there. He says it at the Last Supper. It’s recorded in all four Gospels; one of the only things they all agree on. I believe in His presence in the Eucharist and I adore His presence in the Eucharist because I know Him and I trust Him and if He said it, it must be true.

So why don’t I take that approach with everything else He said?

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

When I read this line (and this whole Gospel), I can immediately think of people who fall into these categories; people who make my blood boil, my eyes roll, and my fist shake. Loving my enemies is so easy to do in the abstract. Okay Jesus, sure thing! But then when that driver has the audacity to drive the speed limit in the left-most lane of the highway, suddenly it’s more challenging to love that enemy. Or when the news is on and the pundits’ anger starts making my anger rise at people I don’t even know.

I think our culture thrives on creating enemies. Hatred and anger are very “in” right now. A common enemy is the number one way to unite a group of people, according to my AP World History teacher. And we are so very good at finding enemies—people to blame for the problems we have.

But Jesus didn’t leave wiggle room. Just like our stance on the Eucharist is black and white—it’s not a symbol, He really is there—so too our stance on our enemies, on those who hate us and persecute us, is crystal clear—love them. Bless them. Do kind things for them. Pray for them. Give them even more than what they take and ask for nothing in return. THIS is what makes us different from the rest of the world. THIS is what separates Christians.

Remember the saying “They’ll know we are Christians by our love?” Well I see a lot more hate than love in our world these days; sometimes even our global Church. Which makes me wonder, would others define how I live my faith more by who I hate, or more by how I love?

Spontaneous Prayer

Another principial reminded me that prayer is not just about the words we say, but about the relationship we build with Jesus. It’s easy to hear this and think, “I know that!” But I challenged myself to wonder how we, as a parish and school community, can model this better for our children.

One powerful way to do this is through spontaneous prayer—simply talking to God aloud throughout the day. It doesn't require formal words or long prayers; it’s just sharing moments of connection with God as they come up. This can be a beautiful way to demonstrate to our children that prayer is a natural part of our daily lives.

I remember my grandma would pray aloud in the car whenever we heard an ambulance or firetruck's siren. She’d say something like, “God, you are strong, a healer, and protector. Please protect our first responders and those they help today.” It was short, simple, and heartfelt. That moment of spontaneous prayer helped me understand how easy it is to talk to God at any time, in any place.

Of course, we can also use memorized prayers as a family. These prayers are a wonderful way to teach our children the rich traditions of our faith. But incorporating moments of spontaneous prayer into our day—whether it's before a meal, on the way to school, or as we hear a siren—helps show that prayer doesn’t need to be complicated or formal. It’s simply about speaking to God from the heart, right when we need it.

I encourage you to consider building spontaneous prayer into your family routine. Perhaps a bedtime prayer, a prayer for someone in need, or even a simple “Thank you, God, for today.” These small practices can have a profound impact on our children, showing them that they can pray now, no matter their age, and that prayer can be as simple as saying, “I love you, Jesus. Thank you for this day.”

The Power of the Holy Spirit

Do you believe the Holy Spirit is at work in you? Though we cannot see Him, we can recognize His presence if we allow Him to guide, instruct, and change our hearts and minds. As we invite Him into our lives and surrender to His power, we may experience strength during difficult times, a greater ability to forgive, and an increase in His spiritual gifts.

The excerpts below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops article “What is Evangelization” speak to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

We must be open to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who will continue to convert us as we follow Christ. If our faith is alive, it will be aroused again and again as we mature as disciples." (14)

Transformation speaks of the change of heart that, as a member of the Church, each one must undergo. The Gospel speaks across time and space to each human being, each mind, each heart. It asks us what we think about our lives, how we hope, whom we love, and what we live for. If faith is not transforming each heart and life, it is dead. (16)

The Gospel must overflow from each heart until the presence of God transforms all human existence. Sometimes this means that, as believers, we must confront the world as did the prophets of old, pointing out the claims of God to societies that are blind to God. More often, however, this means that we must let our faith shine on the world around us, radiating the love of Jesus by the everyday way we speak, think, and act. (17)

This gospel message gives us a different vision of what life is about. We see a pattern of love, hope, and meaning because the intimate relationship with God in which we were created, lost through sin, has been restored by Jesus, whose death has destroyed our death and whose resurrection gives us the promise of eternal life. We do not see a world of blind forces ruled by chance, but a universe created to share God's life . . . to live for God and others in love. We do not calculate what we think is possible, but rather, know the Spirit of God always makes new things possible, even the renewal of humanity. (21)

This vision we share is the power of the Good News. As it compels us, we believe it can compel, by its beauty and truth, all who sincerely seek God.  (22)”

Have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your life? If not, ask Him in daily to give you the mind and heart of Jesus, to lead and guide you, and watch what happens!