Sexagesima
The Latin name of this Sunday refers to the fact that it is about 60 days before Easter.
February 8, 2026
(Luke 6:27–31, NIV84) “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
How hard it is to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” We, by nature, just don’t want to!
And, of course, we are selfish, too!
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” The world has adopted this as “The Golden Rule”. Do this. Then, the implication for the unbelieving world is that you will have some kind of reward, perhaps even heaven. But this does not earn heaven for anyone. Jesus earned heaven.
Because God loved us, we, as his beloved children, want to reflect that love. These words are encouragement to sanctification, to holy living and to holy loving. Yes, they show us our shortcomings, that is, our sins. But because we know that our Savior Jesus Christ gave us everything, he gave his all, we want to please him by showing love to all mankind, especially those who aren’t nice to us! Good works, good deeds flow out of faith, when the Christian uses God’s law as a guide or guideline for doing good. Good works are a fruit of faith, a fruit of having the assurance of the gift of eternal life.
Prayer
O God, please see that we put not our trust in anything that we do, and mercifully grant that by thy power we may be defended against all adversity. This we ask through Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord. Amen
