2 Corinthians 8:1-9; Psalm 146; Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven” Beloved, we must love all people. We may not like it but that is what Christianity demands of us. Love is the identity of Christians. If we cannot love we endanger the body of Christ. St. Paul in the first reading wants us to live out the gospel. The best way to live out the gospel is to love. John 13:35 says “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” We may not be comfortable showing love to those who hurt us with their ridicule, gossips and more but Jesus says pray for them. Nothing can disarm our enemies more than our prayers for them.
LET US PRAY
O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
