Born Anew

In his first letter read at Mass today, the author of 1 Peter reminds us that we "have been born anew, not from perishable, but from imperishable seed through the living and abiding word of God." (1 Pet 1:23).  As such he tells us to "love one another intensely from a pure heart" (1 Pet 1: 22) echoing the message of Jesus to love one another. Our love must be genuine, universal, courageous and steadfast, even in the wake of criticism and opposition, even when our natural inclinations are to turn away from the disfigured, those with differing opinions, or outright enemies.  Impossible?  With God's help, all things are possible.
We remember today the great leader and reformer of the 11th century, Hildebrand, Pope Gregory VII, who lived in an era or corrupt Church and Civil leaders.  His confrontation of Henry 1V at Canossa where he stood his ground for truth and respect for "the rules" and forced the great Emperor to bow in contrition and penance exemplifies his "love of justice and righteousness and hatred of sin", a principle which eventually found him exiled by the same Henry, where he died still abiding by it.
In today's world, Dr.Nabil Antaki, another man who loves intensely, opted to remain in Aleppo to continue caring for the wounded and displaced.  If these men did it, I need to ask myself  how I can love with this kind of intensity if I am to claim at I have been "born anew."
Bro .Rene