Daily Reflection, June 16, 2020, Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year A

1 Kings 21: 17-29,

Psalm 51 :3-4.5-6ab.11,

Matthew 5:43-48 Full Readings

Saint John Francis Regis

Being Perfect as our Father in Heaven

Today in the Gospel, we are presented with the last of the six contrasts and corrections of Mosaic law in the Sermon on the Mount. Just like the first, this too is about love which is the correction factor in all the six corrections. Jesus again teaches fundamental teachings which may not be easy to embrace by ourselves but only by His divine grace, that is: Loving not only those who love you but also your enemies and praying for those who persecute you. This is what makes us unique as Christians and thus making us perfect as our Father in Heaven.

Being Perfect as our Father in heaven doesn't really mean to be God but to embrace God's unconditional and undeserved love, who showers rain on both the good and the evil, on the just and unjust and then putting in practice and showing it to everyone. It is to imitate God, if God loves everyone regardlessly, then who are we not to do the same. When we act like God, we become perfect as Him. However, this as human beings is not easy but with His divine grace, everything is possible.

Love of enemies and praying for our persecutors is one of the virtues we need to embrace if we are to be perfect as our Father God; it's a divine virtue. Dale Carnegie once said: “When we hate our enemies, we are giving them power over us: power over our sleep, our appetites, our blood pressure, our health and our happiness,”  and so did Everett Worthington in his book, Five steps to Forgiveness, “We can’t hurt the perpetrator by being unforgiving, but we can set ourselves free by forgiving”. Making peace with our enemies is never achieved by hating them back, by avoiding them but by showing them love and if they don't respond to that love, we pray for them. 

Hating our enemies not only shows their power over us but also affects us in many ways. We give them access to control us and then we live troubled lives full of resentment which is not an ideal life worthy of a Christian. A Christian has to live a Christocentric life which means living as Christ lived by loving and forgiving His enemies and praying for them even on the cross. When we live like this we not only weaken our enemies but we also bring transformation in their lives. 

To live your enemies doesn't mean approving their evil ways but believing that God created them with a purpose and that He is always waiting for their conversion and to welcome them back to Him, and that He sees them not as not as unredeemed devils but as His children who have gone astray. That's why they need our prayers for their conversion and embracing the love of God. Neither does loving our enemies necessarily mean we become best friends, it is extending the love of God to them, showing concern for one another, understanding them as human beings and forgiving them. This should be our goal as Christians.

What makes us unique as Christians? Jesus challenges us today in the Gospel that if we only love our friends, what difference do we have from tax collectors? If we greet only those we love, what difference do we have from pagans? These are fundamental questions to us as Christians and if we are to be true Christians, we have to reflect deeply on them. What makes us unique as Christians is transcending what everyone can do and doing what Jesus did.

Today let us try to look at our Christian life. If you cannot help your neighbour who is suffering, then that pagan who does know God but is helping people is better than you. If you cannot give someone a sign of peace in church, or greet your fellow choir member, or your fellow community member then then those who don't go to church nor regard themselves as Christians but love each other, are far better than you. Brethren, it's not only going to church, or paying tithe or giving offertory or saying Lord, Lord, that will take us to heaven, it's also how we have loved and lived  with our brothers and sisters that will give a sure way to heaven. For whatsoever you do to the rest of my brethren, that you do unto me (Mt 25: 40).

Reflect today on your Christian life and love of neighbour. Who is that greatest enemy whom you swore never to forgive? Mention him or her and start a journey of forgiving her or him. Are you selfish in praying by only praying for yourself not others as well? Do you pray for your enemies and your persecutors? And how far have you gone in striving to be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect. Spend some time in prayer and pray for the Graces necessary to love your enemies and to love those who persecute you.

Let us Pray.

Lord by grace help me to love all people as you have loved us unconditionally especially those whom I find difficult to love and forgive. May you always guide my steps as I tread my way to perfection just as my Father in heaven is perfect. Amen

Be blessed