Is it possible to live the teachings of Jesus we read in today’s Gospel? Jesus really went for it with his Sermon on the Plain – – love the people who are hardest to love, pray for people you don’t like, give things away, don’t ask for them back, let people take things, don’t ask for them back, let people strike you, don’t strike back, don’t judge, don’t condemn, be kind, forgive and do it all without expecting anything in return. Is it attainable or is it idealistic?

Jesus knows our hearts and deep down our heart wants to give, even to the point that it trusts and depends on something greater than itself. Jesus does not ask us to do difficult things for us to hurt or feel empty. He wants more for us – to let the heart give as it is intended to do.