Love Your Enemies

02-24-2019Weekly ReflectionFr. James Aboyi

Dear Parishioners,

In last Sunday's Gospel, Jesus gave the beatitude in which he exalted the poor as those who will merit the rewards of heaven but denounced the rich for ignoring God in their lives. This is seemingly paradoxical; it is like turning the natural human expectations upside down. In the Gospel today, Jesus continues in the same line of discussion by calling his disciples, and all Christians, to a higher standard of love. He commands us to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, to turn the other cheek to those who strike us, to let people take what belongs to us, and to give without expecting any appreciation in return. To love one's enemy, and to do good to those who want to harm us, are very high standards Jesus sets for us. This is what makes Christianity distinct from any other religion in the world. However, Jesus did not only set the standards for us, but he lived them when he died for all of us sinners and prayed for those who killed him.

In our first reading today, with the encounter between David and Saul, we see a practical example of what it means to love our enemies and to do good to those who are against us. David had the opportunity to take revenge against Saul but chose to spare his life. Jesus invites us to love others unconditionally, as God loves us. God always seeks our highest good, he is good to both saints and sinners, "he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust" (Ma 5:45). Our prayer is that God gives us the grace to do like David when we are tempted to revenge, to be free from the vice of hatred, malice and resentment. May he give us the grace to return evil with good and to be "wounded healers" all of the time.

Jesus's call to a higher form of love is not only limited to those who are against us, but we are to show this love to everyone in our lives. Here in our parish community we demonstrate this Christian mutual love each time we gather at the Eucharistic celebration. In a special way, we will also demonstrate this mutual love and bond of unity during our parish picnic (Backyard Bash) this Sunday afternoon. Later in the week, on Wednesday, February 27, we will again gather together to discuss and plan for our new church building and the future of our parish. I invite everyone to come and join us at these events.

Thank you and Remain Blessed.
Fr. James