Readings
I - Deu. 26: 16-19
II - Mt. 5: 43-48
LOVE ALL AND HATE NONE
The tax collectors and gentiles were considered as sinners and outcasts and never as children of God. Jesus picks up their idea and gives a different connotation, an inclusive one as to who the children of God are. He inspires them to imbibe the quality of the impartial Father who make sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and unjust, in their love towards their neighbours. He reverts the existing law, “Love your neighbour and hate your enemies” to love, greet and above all pray for the enemies. In practicing this new teaching of Jesus anybody can become the children of God.
Loving, greeting and praying for enemies is a challenge and it takes a lot of courage. Only the grace of God can give us the courage to love all and hate none. To love all and hate none though difficult, it is not impossible. St. Pope John Paul II forgave the one who shot him, Bld. Rani Maria’s family accepted the murderer as one of their family member offering him their forgiveness. May the lives of valiant saints inspire us to love all and hate none bearing witness to Christian charity. Let our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to love all and hate none”.
