Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Mt 5: 43-48
June 20, 2023 | Tuesday

Today’s Gospel

You have heard, that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. But this I tell you: love your enemies; and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.

If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Many people consider forgiveness and loving one’s enemies as noble and commendable teachings until they are already placed in situations to practice them. These teachings become even more difficult to practice if the persons that need to be forgiven and loved are those who threatened or offended one’s ego, dignity, reputation, or well-being. Indeed, it is a challenge for many people to surpass one’s emotions and prejudices, much more to implement these teachings. Yet Jesus tells us that these are not impossible for us. We can still do these. How? By relating with and looking at things in the loving eyes and perspectives of God who is good to all. After all, we are not just human beings that are made from clay. We were created to live in God’s image and likeness. /Vulnerasti, 2023