Our God is love. He loves the good and the bad alike. In today’s first reading king Ahab who was a murderer is forgiven by God as he repents. If we examine our depths we see the many times we have gone against Jesus by being hard-hearted, angry, revengeful, jealous and critical. But every time we realize our sinfulness and turn to God, his mercy and love covers our hearts and we are set free. He wants us to allow that mercy and love to overflow to others. As Jesus said, it is easy to love those who love us, accept us, help us, admire and appreciate us. But it is difficult to love when we are rejected, persecuted, cheated and hurt. Let us remember daily when we sit at his feet the multitudes of sins forgiven by our Lord by his suffering and death. Then through his grace we will be able to love, pray, bless and forgive the people whom we call our enemies. This is the core of his Kingdom values. When we live in this way, we will bear witness as Christians.

PRAYER: Abba Father, let me be merciful to others as you are to me. Amen.