Jesus said to his disciples: "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 if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
REFLECTION
Jesus said to his disciples: "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.
God's Will for us is to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. This is hard for humans because it is our nature to react to someone who persecutes us with hatred and revenge.
Instead, Jesus says that we should do the opposite of what we are inclined to do. Do not retaliate but pray for those who mistreat us. Be like God the Father who treats everyone the same. Let your actions show that you are 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.
How does this apply today? There are groups of people who react violently towards others because of their religious or political beliefs. They throw rocks, fireworks, or yell and hit or push the people who may be innocently in their way. Pray for them and ask God to bless them. Show them forgiveness and compassion which Jesus demonstrates for us in His persecution and passion. Let us pray to show "radical love" like Jesus and pray for and forgive those who persecute us. Let us also pray for priests to be like Jesus.
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