"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.” But I say to 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 the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous
and on the unrighteous. For if you love those how love you, what reward do you
have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your
brothers and sisters what more are you doing than others? Do not even the
Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect."
How
do we conduct with those who hurt or provoke us to anger or temptation? Jesus
is telling us to love our enemies and those who persecute us. In his homily
today, Father Jack Lynch advised us to remove all restrictions and set no
boundaries for love to those who intimidate us. It is the most challenging act
of Christianity. Loving and praying is based on the inclusive love of God. He
mentioned that the expression “Do not get mad, get even” and the bible verse “An
eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” concerning retaliation are written to
promote harmony not violence. A disciple
is not allowed hostility but is called for compassion and love. The only way to
end the cycle of hatred is to pull the plug, which we call forgiveness. We must
never be afraid to admit our errors and mistakes. We should understand and acknowledge
the insights of others whom we may not agree.
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