You have heard it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5: 43-48
Jesus does not present His followers with an easy journey: for us, living the Christian life is impossible on our own strength. His words are not easy. “Love your enemies, bless those who persecute you” – very difficult for an Armenian to comprehend; actually, difficult for anyone as well. Through baptism and confirmation, God begins to give us Grace. Through confession and communion, He gives us continued Grace – through forgiveness and His own body and blood – which combine to feed our souls with the perpetual Grace to live as Jesus commands. We are called to do the impossible through Christ, who is our strength.
Let us pray with St. Gregory:
I place my faith in you, my Lord,
who loves our souls.
You, who even at the hour you were nailed to the cross
overflowed with boundless compassion,
and beseeched your father on high
to take mercy on your tormentors.
Now grant me hope of atonement, life and refuge,
so that when I take my last breath
I might receive from you a healed soul.
To you with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
all power, victory, majesty and glory forever.
Amen.
Prayer 21 F
