Opening Game
Begin by playing the Change My Heart Relay Race Game. You can find the directions here.
Changing the heart from stone to candy in the game was fun and pretty easy, right? But when it comes to changing our own hearts, it’s not so simple. However, this is exactly what Jesus calls us to do.
Scripture Reading
Read the Gospel:
Luke 6:27-38 (Jesus us tells us to love our enemies) – the Gospel Reading for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C
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 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.”Luke 6:27-38
Discussion
There is a lot of conflict in our world today. When we think about enemies, we often imagine people in far-off places, like another country waging war against us or terrorists who might try to harm us. These are the obvious enemies, the ones we hear about on the news. But the concept of enemies goes much further than that.
In today’s world, enemies can be much closer to home. Think about the culture wars we hear so much about. People on opposite sides of an issue get so caught up in their arguments that they start to see those who disagree with them as enemies. They may not attack with weapons, but they attack with words. They use social media, news outlets, and even conversations with friends to tear down those on the other side. They twist facts and spread rumors. They act out of anger and a desire to win at all costs. In this way, they become enemies to each other without even realizing it.
But enemies can be even closer than that. An enemy could be someone you know personally. It might be someone who gossips about you, makes fun of you, or excludes you from a group. It could be a former friend who has betrayed you, turning their back on you when you needed them most. These personal enemies can cause the most pain because they are so close to us. We trusted them, and they hurt us deeply. This kind of betrayal can make our hearts harden and fill us with anger and resentment.
In this Gospel, Jesus is inviting you to do something that feels almost impossible—He is asking you to love your enemies. This includes the enemies who are far away, those who have power and influence in society, and those personal enemies who have hurt you deeply. Jesus doesn’t just suggest this; He commands it. But how can we possibly do that? How can we love people who have caused us so much pain?
Jesus understands that loving your enemies is difficult. When we are around our enemies, our hearts naturally want to protect us from further harm. We might feel like we need to build a wall around our hearts to keep them out. We might even want to make them feel the same pain they caused us, hoping that this will somehow make things right. But Jesus shows us a different way. He invites us to look at our enemies through His eyes, with a heart full of mercy and forgiveness.
The key to loving your enemies is found in the last part of the Gospel reading: “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.” Jesus is telling us that the way we treat others will be the way we are treated. If we want to receive mercy, we must show mercy. If we want to be forgiven, we must forgive.
This change of heart is not easy, but Jesus reminds us that we also need mercy and forgiveness. We are all sinners in need of God’s grace. Our hardened hearts need to become open and loving. Our vengeful hearts need to become forgiving.
Take a moment to think about a time when you did something wrong and were forgiven. How did it feel to receive that forgiveness? Did it lift a burden from your heart? Now, think about the fact that God loves your enemy just as much as He loves you. It might be hard to believe, but it’s true. God is gathering all of His children to Him, not just the people we love. There is no one whom God will not forgive. That is why He asks you to love your enemies.
This kind of change of heart takes work. It is very difficult to love your enemies, and it doesn’t just happen overnight. But there are steps you can take to move in the right direction.
First, acknowledge that your pain is real. It was not right for the other person to hurt you. Forgiving them does not mean that what they did was okay. Spend some time talking to Jesus about how hurt you are. He understands your pain and wants to help you heal.
Your wound may have a lasting impact on your life, and you might carry it for a while. Remember that after the Resurrection, Jesus still carried His wounds. He showed them to Thomas as proof of His love and sacrifice. Talk to Jesus about your wounds and ask Him to help you carry them with grace.
Ask God for the desire to forgive the person who hurt you. You may not feel like forgiving them right now, and that’s okay. Keep asking God for the desire to forgive, and over time, He will soften your heart.
We often feel a strong need to be “right” and for others to acknowledge that we are right. But God sees everything and will deliver justice on His own terms. Surrender your need for revenge and offer your anger to God as a sacrifice of love.
Remember, forgiveness is not the same as reconciliation. You do not need to continue a relationship with the person who hurt you. Stop waiting for them to repent before you forgive. Holding onto that expectation will only hold you hostage. Withholding forgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. It will only harm you.
Finally, remember that you are also a sinner and have hurt others. Just as you need forgiveness, so do they. When you find yourself thinking about the person who hurt you, and you start to feel anger or a desire for revenge, talk to Jesus instead. Tell Him about your pain and ask Him to help you love your enemies.
Small Group Reflection Questions
In small group discussions, encourage everyone to share their thoughts and feelings openly. Remind the group that this is a safe space where everyone’s opinions and experiences are respected.
Give time for participants to reflect and respond. Allow each person to speak without interruption, and encourage others to listen carefully. If someone is hesitant to share, gently invite them to contribute, but respect their choice if they prefer to pass. The goal is to help everyone explore the topic of loving your enemies in a meaningful and supportive environment.
- How does loving your enemies help you grow in your faith and relationship with God? Reflect on how this challenging command can bring you closer to Christ and deepen your spiritual life.
- What does the phrase “love your enemies” mean to you personally? Reflect on how you understand this command from Jesus. Have you ever tried to put it into practice?
- Can you think of a time when you considered someone an enemy? What made them an enemy in your eyes? How did you feel about them, and how did you respond to the situation?
- How do you think Jesus wants us to handle situations where we feel wronged or betrayed? What are some practical steps you can take to respond with love instead of anger?
- Why do you think it is so difficult to forgive those who have hurt us? What makes forgiveness challenging, and what might help us overcome those challenges?
- How does knowing that God loves your enemies as much as He loves you change your perspective? Does this make it easier or harder for you to consider forgiving them? Why?
- Have you ever experienced forgiveness from someone else? How did that affect your relationship with that person? How did it make you feel?
- What role does prayer play in the process of loving your enemies? How can prayer help you move toward forgiveness and love for those who have hurt you?
- Do you think it’s possible to love your enemies without reconciling with them? Why or why not? What might this look like in a real-life situation?
- What are some small actions you can take this week to begin the process of loving your enemies? Think of specific steps you can try, even if they seem difficult.
Challenge
This week, take some time to reflect on the state of your heart. Consider the ways in which it might be hardened by anger, resentment, or pain, especially toward someone who has hurt you. Ask yourself what changes need to happen for your heart to become more open, loving, and forgiving.
Begin by praying for that person who has caused you pain. It might feel difficult at first, but bringing them to God in prayer is a powerful step toward healing. Ask God to help you see them as He does—with compassion and understanding. Pray for the grace to forgive, even if that forgiveness feels impossible right now.
Throughout the week, if you find yourself dwelling on the hurt or thinking negatively about this person, turn those thoughts into a conversation with Jesus. Instead of letting anger or bitterness take root, speak to Jesus about your feelings. Tell Him about your struggles, your pain, and your desire to forgive. Ask Him to help you carry this burden and to fill your heart with His love and peace.
Remember, forgiveness is a journey, and each small step you take brings you closer to the freedom and healing that God desires for you.
Prayer
Conclude your session by inviting everyone to bring their hearts before God in prayer. Offer a time of open petitions, where group members can share specific intentions related to loving their enemies and seeking the grace to forgive. Encourage everyone to voice their struggles and desires for healing, especially in situations where they have been deeply hurt. After sharing these petitions, unite the group in a moment of prayer, asking God to guide and strengthen each person as they strive to follow Jesus’ command to love their enemies.
To help focus your prayers, you can use the Prayer for Someone Who Has Hurt You. This prayer is a way to ask for God’s grace in forgiving those who have wronged us. It also helps us to open our hearts to the healing love of Christ. You can find the prayer with a printable copy at this link. As you pray together, ask God to transform your hearts, fill you with His peace, and help you love as He loves.
More Resources
More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections
For more information, see https://young-catholics.com/13943/loving-your-enemies-lesson-plan/