Stretching

Anyone who has had physical therapy or worked with a personal trainer knows the benefits of stretching as we discover that a lot of our aches and pains are the result of over-tight muscles that seem to affect every part of the body, especially the back.  When "doing the stretches" we feel that we can't go any further, yet our instructor insists that we push a little further.  We do, and day by day we find ourselves able to go far beyond what we thought were our "absolute limits."  Our whole being becomes more limber and our feelings about ourselves and others take a noticeably positive turn.
In today's Gospel passage from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges us to stretch beyond loving just those who love us, to loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. (Mt 5: 44-45). Yes, he's asking us to go beyond what we think is our limit, with the ultimate challenge to be "perfect" (well rounded, complete, the best that we can be), as our heavenly Father is. With Jesus as our  "personal trainer", how can we go wrong?
Bro. Rene