Monday, June 14, 2021
Bible Reflections I 15.06.2021- Tuesday I Indraya Manna
Readings: I - 2Cor. 8:1-9
II - Mt. 5:43-48
LOVE FOR ENEMIES
Claiming to be people of God or children of God vests in being like God especially in extending our love even to our enemies is the crux of the Gospel passage today. The commandment of God to the people of Israel from the book of Leviticus was, “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself”. They inferred this command according to their convenience and said, “Hate your enemy” though there were expressed command of God to the contrary as we find in Ex. 23:4 and Deu. 23:7. The Law breakers or those who failed to abide by the commandment of God were considered as sinners and outcasts.
Thee tax collectors were considered as sinners. They were good to the people who were good to them and never otherwise. The gentiles were regarded as outcast because they failed to live by the Law. As per the Gospel passage if we love only those who love us we are not better than the sinners and the outcast.
The paradoxical yet practical preaching of Jesus proposes to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Is it possible to love and pray for those who offend, scoff, revile, falsely accuse, spread rumors, gossip and drag our name in vain to the point of making our life difficult and disastrous? Jesus is our model par excellence in this regard who forgave even His executioners. We do have exemplary people even in this era following this teaching to inspire and encourage besides being a witness to Christian living.
Gladyss stains forgave the killers of her husband and two children burning them alive though they did no mistake than to take care of the lepers there as missionaries from Australia, Saint Pope John Paul II forgave Mehmet Ali Agca who shot him with the intention of killing him, the family of Sr. Rani Maria forgave and embraced Samadar Singh the assassin.
A bit of love can set our life for a legendry living of forgiveness. It is in loving everyone beyond our likes and dislikes, friends and foes, whims and fancies can we imitate our Father in Heaven and claim ourselves to be children of God the Father. In the silence of our hearts let us pray: “Lord Jesus inflame my heart with you love”.
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