Gospel 

Matthew 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.”

Reflection

A line of scripture that is taken out of context is always dangerous. But I can tell you, I'm sure, that the line that we ended with, be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect, is something that I got in spades growing up as a Catholic. What God wants is perfection. No sinning. And nothing is further from the truth.

What he wants is evolution. Transformation. Change that we become who God longs for us to be so we can establish his kingdom. Love is the key. Not judgment.

Closing Prayer

Father, you offer us first, which you are asking us to offer to one another. Open our hearts so that we can receive your generosity, your love, your acceptance. So that in turn, we will offer it to one another. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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