PERFECT LOVE FOR OUR ENEMIES - 02/18/23 (Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Matthew 5:43–45

“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, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” 

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021923.cfm

Blessed Sunday! One of the hardest things in life is when we encounter some people whom we may treat as enemies. They are those who may cause us pain, who may offend us or hurt us in different ways. And yet, Jesus tells us to love all of our neighbors, including our enemies. This is one of the hardest teachings of Christ, and yet, this is not impossible to do, and what Christ tells us will always bring us peace, even if it's difficult at first. By loving our enemies, we can imitate the love of our God, and there are at least two ways which we can do to do this. First, it's important for us to remember the goodness that the other person has. Sometimes, when we feel anger with someone, we may just see the negative behaviors of the other person. However, focusing on the imperfections of others will just lead us to dwell on our anger even more. One of the practices that some of the saints do is to not be surprised with the defects of other people while also acknowledging, rejoicing and being thankful to God when we see even their little virtues. 

Though it's difficult to see the goodness of others, we may realize how helpful it is to not dwell on the mistakes of other people. Despite the sins of others, let's remember that we are all bearers of the image of God. Our bodies are His holy temples. Their actions may not be consistent with their identity as children of God, but we can choose to love them as a way of loving God who dwells within them. Second, we can love them by praying for them. To love our enemies doesn't mean that we will cover our eyes when they commit sins. It means that we recognize that their sinful deeds are really wrong. And, when we really look deeper into it, what we can see is that they are in need of love. This realization may help us to see this as an opportunity to be the instrument of love for others by praying for their conversion. The best example of this is Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus bore our sins on the Cross. He was wounded and offended by our sins. And yet, because of His love for us, He desired more to offer Himself on the Cross. He forgave us of our sins and granted us the gift of salvation. Jesus tells us to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. But, how can this be? The truth is that on our own, we cannot love others perfectly, but we can depend on the perfect love of Christ. Perfection is a journey with the fullness in heaven. As such, even if we stumble in loving our neighbors, let's patiently persevere in asking for God's mercy and help in doing His will. And, let's not forget that we can be the instrument of perfect love for others by being gentle with them and by praying for them. Just as God pours rains on everyone, He will pour His mercy and graces for all of us as well. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth