LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
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” We may not like this but this is what demands of us. Love for enemies has nothing to do with how we feel, but everything to do with our obedience to God. Obedience over feelings.
St. Paul in the first reading says we should 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.
We can love our enemies in the following ways: Show genuine respect. Show your enemies the genuine respect that every human being deserves; put yourself in their shoes; find common ground; forgiveness is always an option; reach out to them first and pray 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 Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
