"Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you." We do not like hearing these words, but they are at the heart of Jesus' teaching. When we are hurt, we want to get defensive and fight back. We prefer engaging in battle with something that is negative and evil, rather than returning a heart of love.

“Love your enemies, and do good, and lend a helping hand, expect nothing in return...” Lk. 6:20-26 Why should we act as he describes in v. 32-34? Because it is the behavior that is befitting those who wish to be a disciple, those who want to imitate the merciful Father. Mercy leads us to a union with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Sixth Sunday Ordinary Time (Lk. 6:17, 20-26) “The Beatitudes” Lk. 6:20-26 Luke sums up Matthew’s nine Beatitudes, (Mt. 5:3-12) into four. Both, contain promises for a decisive moral decision. It invites us to purify our hearts of bad instinct and above all else to seek the love of God.

“Put out into the deep.” Lk. 5:4 The last Great Jubilee year set the stage for the new millennium, a celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Jesus. A new stage of the Church’s journey begins: our hearts ring out with the words of Jesus when one day, after speaking to the crowds from Simon's boat, he invited the Apostle to "put out into the deep" for a catch: "Duc in altum" (Lk 5:4).

“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Lk. 4:21 Jesus reads from the passage of Is. 61:1-2, where the prophet announces the coming of the Lord who will liberate his people from all their afflictions. The passage tells us two things: God will bring salvation to his people, and the anointed one to effect this salvation. He closes the scroll - people expect Him to give a short homily or give some instructions. He says, that these two elements of the divine plan have come to pass.

“Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Lk. 4:21 After Jesus read from the passage of Is. 61:1-2, where the prophet announces the coming of the Lord who will liberate his people from all their afflictions, He closes the scroll - people expect Him to give a short homily or give some instructions. The passage tells us two things: God will bring salvation to his people, and the anointed one to affect this salvation.

The Wedding at Cana – “They have no wine” Jn. 2:3. This is the first time Jesus performed a miracle, at the wedding in Cana. We continue the theme ofthe manifestation of Jesus, the Epiphany, The Baptism of the Lord, and now the manifestation of Jesus’ divine power as the Son of God.

I baptize you with water; but He who is mightier than I is coming... (Lk. 3:15) Scripture scholars all agree that the Baptism of Jesus marks the start of His ministry, that is, the start of His public life. The Baptism of the Lord signifies two things, first, the manifestation of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel and the Son of God. Second, Is His acceptance of His mission, “suffering servant.”

Wise men from the East came to Jerusalem... (Mt.2:1) The first chapter of Matthew tells us about the origin of Jesus, the second chapter deals with His mission and the purpose of His life. Jesus is the Messiah, the new King, the wise men who were not Jews are the first Gentiles who receive the call of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Feast of the Holy Family (Lk. 2:41-50) Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house. (Lk. 2:49)

Mary and Joseph find Jesus sitting among the teachers in the temple listening and asking them questions, and they were all amazed at his understanding. Jesus is not an ordinary child, He is the Son of God.

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth (Lk. 1:39-45) Mary traveled from Nazareth to a hill country village called Ain Karim (90 miles south) near Jerusalem, traditionally accepted as the place where Zechariah and his family lived. It’s around five miles southwest of Jerusalem, not too far from the temple where Zechariah goes to fulfill his daily priestly duties.

“What shall we do? (Lk. 3:10) The coming of the Lord is imminent, so everyone should be ready. In answer to the question of the crowds: John the Baptist says, everyone should do penance for their sins and mend their ways, to be worthy to receive the grace that the Messiah brings. Salvation does not depend on one's ancestry, but by repentance and conversion (v.7-9). This should be manifested in people’s good behavior; the good thing about it is that it applies to everyone. What each person must do depends on his or her present status or position in life.

“Prepare the way of the Lord...(Lk. 3:4) The general tone of the Gospel shows that everyone, even tax collectors (v. 12-13), soldiers (v. 14), and even those considered as publicans can attain salvation. The coming of the Messiah opens a path into the depths of everyone’s soul. Meaning, the path of the Word of God is through the human heart and soul.