A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 5:43-48)
“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.”
In teaching the disciples, Jesus leaves no doubt about his command. Love of neighbor is universal, not merely for those whose relationship is based on love. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples to love without expecting anything from others in return, and to pray for our persecutors. “For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?” Instead, he says, “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” For all who hear this, Jesus frees us to leave judgment to the Father and opens for us through himself the way to the Father—the source and aim of love that knows no limits.
Father in heaven, help me keep in mind today that everybody I encounter is your son or daughter and created in your image. In facing scorn or recalling past hurts, give me the grace to forgive others and pray for them. “Pray for those who persecute you,” Jesus says, “that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” Give me the opportunity today to use the grace I ask for, if it is your will. In such situations, help me call to mind to let go of judgment and love the person you place before me. Teach me, Lord, to love my enemies, the people who don’t like me and show it, the ones who are difficult to love.
From the verse before the Gospel: “Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!”
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.