Fr Gabriel reflects on the way in which our Lord calls us to a higher ethic than one based on simple reciprocity. We are not called to fall in love with our enemies or to treat them like family, but we are called to treat them with that open-ended, compassionate love which God demonstrates to his people. We are called to mercy, which is a divine virtue, and hence we cannot enter this life without the support of the Christ who went through death and resurrection for us. (Luke 6:31-36)