But I say to you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
Bless those who curse you and pray for those who treat you badly.
To the one who strikes you on the cheek, turn the other cheek; from the one who takes your coat, do not keep back your shirt.
Give to the one who asks and if anyone has taken something from you, do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have others do to you.
If you love only those who love you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners love those who love them.
If you do favors to those who are good to you, what kind of graciousness is yours? Even sinners do the same.
If you lend only when you expect to receive, what kind of graciousness is yours? For sinners also lend to sinners, expecting to receive something in return.
Luke 6:27-34
You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I tell you this: do not oppose evil with evil; if someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn and offer him the other.
If someone sues you in court for your shirt, let him have your coat as well.
If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him.
Give when asked and do not turn your back on anyone who wants to borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But this I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.
If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much?
And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much?
For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly Father is righteous and perfect.
Matthew 5:38-48
This kind of act is very hard to do.
How can you possibly love your enemies?
It takes a lot of wisdom to discern what it meant.
It takes a lot of courage to do such act and have a forgiving heart.
But loving your enemies would mean having a light heart.
It would release you from so much pains and burdens.
It would mean happiness.
Pray for yourself and for your enemies to release your from the burden of anger and hatred.
Life is better and enjoyable when there is nothing to worry about, lest your enemies.
Annotation:
Give to the one who asks.
Jesus does not give a rule which is automatically applicable in all situations: we know there are times when we should not give because it would encourage bad habits. Jesus wants to challenge our conscience: Why do you refuse to give? Are you afraid you will not be paid back? But what if this were the opportunity to trust your Father and to let go of something which is “your treasure” (12:34)?