Bible Reflection

Matthew 5: 38-48

“…But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” “… So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect…”

Opening prayer:
Holy Virgin Mary, at the message of the Angel Gabriel, You received and brought forth the Word in our word. Be with me now and intercede for me. That I too may hear and ponder the Word of God in my heart. Through your powerful intercession, may Jesus the Word of life, dwell among us. AMEN!!!

Reflection:
- Jesus says we are to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors; just as the sun shines on everyone and the rains falls on everyone God does not limit his love only to those who are good, so it is not up to us to decide who deserves our love and who doesn’t. God doesn’t do that so why should we.
- In the life of Jesus we see that he did not offer resistance to the evil inflicted on him. As he was being crucified he prayed, “Father, forgive them for they know what they do.”
- Mother Teresa wrote: “To be able to love one another, we must pray much, for prayer gives a clean heart and a clean heart can see God in our neighbor. If now we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten how to see God in one another.”

Questions:
How do I respond to hurts and offenses?
How specifically do I respond to Jesus’ command, “ So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect?”

Closing prayer:
Holy God, you bestow your blessings on all people. Help me to imitate your love: Bless my enemies and those who wish hurt me; convert their hearts and my, so that we might live together in peace. AMEN !