Striving For Perfection

 

Matthew 5: 43-48

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We all want to to and be the best we can, but love our enemies? That goes against the goad, but it's what Jesus said to do, and it's what leads to peace in our hearts and communities, and and eternal life in heaven.  Jesus challenges us to do more than the tax collectors and pagans do, and not simply love those who love us, but love our enemies, and persecutors, those whose views and actions are the opposite of ours, those who "drive us crazy".  Not easy to do, but the challenge is there: do these things, and "be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect."  What a goal for Lent, for life!

Bro. Rene

Heavenly Father, your Word is active and alive, effective and enlivening. It achieves the end for which you send it. Transformed by your Word and filled with your Spirit, may our words not be empty, but may we imitate you by speaking true words of forgiveness from the heart to those who sin against us. Amen.

Rev. Terry Ehrman, C.S.C.