MONTHLY DEVOTIONAL FOR 11 SEPTEMBER
September 11, 2025
FEAST OF THE MOST HOLY NAME OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY – 12th SEPTEMBER
September 12, 2025
TODAY’S GOSPEL READING
12 SEPTEMBER, 2024
Luke 6:27-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”
THE GOSPEL OF THE LORD!
REFLECTION
In this passage, Jesus presents a radical call to love—not just those who are easy to love, but even our enemies. He challenges the human instinct for retaliation and replaces it with a divine command to show mercy, forgive freely, and give generously without expecting anything in return. This love is not based on merit or mutual benefit but mirrors the boundless mercy of God. Living this way requires profound inner transformation, where love becomes an active decision rather than a passive feeling. The standard Jesus sets—”Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”—calls us into the very heart of God’s nature. In treating others with compassion, non-judgment, and generosity, we reflect the Kingdom of God on earth.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Your words challenge me deeply: to love my enemies, to bless those who curse me, to give without expecting return. I confess that this love feels beyond me at times. But I desire to live as a child of the Most High, reflecting Your mercy and grace. Teach me to forgive freely, to give generously, and to judge no one. Transform my heart, Lord, that I may love as You love—without limits, without conditions. May Your Spirit guide me each day in choosing compassion over bitterness, mercy over revenge, and grace over judgment. Amen
