In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about grudges, anger, hurt, and hatred.

While most of us may not hate others, we have all faced difficult emotions such as anger, jealousy, and pain.

These feelings are part of being human, just as love, gratitude, hope, understanding, and faith are.

 

Jesus reminds His disciples that we can choose where to focus: on emotions that bring peace, such as love, hope, generosity, and faith, or on those that trouble us, such as anger and jealousy.

Our emotions are neither good nor bad; they simply are. What matters is how we respond to them.

We know what Jesus asks of us, even when it is difficult.

At such times, we may need to speak with a trusted friend, speak honestly to God, and pray for grace, strength, and wisdom.

The choice is ours, and God will give us what we need. Do we trust this?