20 June , 2023 | Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

 Gospel Mt 5:43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:

"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,

that you may be children of your heavenly Father,

for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,

and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

Do not the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brothers only,

what is unusual about that?

Do not the pagans do the same?

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Reflections

Jesus used extremely strong language in today’s Gospel. He instructed his disciples that they were to love their enemies. Jesus was being completely countercultural because culture in which Jesus lived was extremely violent. 

Jesus notes that it is easy for people to love the individuals who love them, but then goes on to challenge his disciples to pray for the individuals who persecute them, whether physically or emotionally. The love about which Jesus is speaking has the ability to transcend the daily irritations, disagreements, and petty arguments. 

We have to choose between loving like Jesus did or allowing our emotions to control us.  What will we choose today?

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