“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…love your enemies and do good to them…Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful…Forgive and you will be forgiven…For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” (Lk. 6:27-28, 35, 36, 38)

Love begets love. May we learn to love and forgive our enemies, especially those who wound us so deeply and still wish us harm. Let hatred not enter our hearts no matter how grieved or angry we may be. May we be instruments of peace and love for all human beings. May our enemies turn from their evil ways. And, of course, may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

“Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing. For: “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep the tongue from evil and the lips from speaking deceit, must turn from evil and do good, seek peace and follow after it” (1 Peter 3:8-11)