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The Gospel Proclamation
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to 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 the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Prayerful Awareness
In the Old Testament God stresses the value of adhering strictly to the Will of God, that all Israelites are God’s own so they should believe and live according to the Commandments. The Psalmist assures that Israelites on their part should give thanks and glory to Him who helps them and looks after them.
Gaze on Jesus
Jesus reminds us that the New Testament He preached had another important section attached to the first Commandment, i.e. “.... and the second is like unto this. Love thy neighbour as thyself”. Thus we are reminded that God’s love is Universal. Our love cannot be restricted to God alone nor can it be confined only to those whom we like or whom we choose. Jesus loved everyone - the good and the wicked. We see how He mixed with the sinners who offended God - sinners like Mary Magdalene, Zacchaeus and Matthew the Levite. He loved them so much that His love was strong enough to change their lives so much so that some turned out to be proclaimed saints. While knowing Judas, His disciple whom He had chosen was going to betray Him, Jesus forgave him so much that He stooped down and washed his feet as He did to the rest of His disciples.
Prayer Starter
“O brother hold to thy heart thy brother. Where forgiveness dwells, the peace of God is there. To worship rightly is to love each other. Each smile a hymn, each kindly deed a prayer.” (Whittier)
Dear Jesus let me love those who speak against me, let me forgive those who hurt me and help me to pray for those who neglect and ill-treat me.
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