Is there someone you know that is particularly difficult to love or show kindness to in life? Perhaps there is a long list of such people. Today Jesus speaks to us about these people in our lives.

Why should we be kind to people who make life difficult for us or even persecute us? After all, does the average person love his or her enemies?

We are invited to step back and take a broader perspective. God does not strike people with lightning when they do evil, but rather, makes the sun shine on those who do good and on those who do evil. God is patient and allows people time to turn back to him. Jesus invites us to love those who hurt us because, when we do this, we imitate the author of love. Our standard of good is not other people, but God.

This can be tremendously difficult at times-even painful. We risk being rejected.

Today we hear that God will not abandon us at such times. As we walk in the Lord's ways, God promises to be our GodˇKwe are God's treasured people.

Do I have any enemies? Do I have any persecutors?