The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today resonate with the gratitude we experience for the guidance of the Spirit for our lives and in our Spiritual Tradition.
Love for All
The reading from the Book of Deuteronomy is a concluding exhortation.
and he will set you high in praise and renown and glory above all nations he has made, and you will be a people holy to the LORD, your God, as he promised.1
Psalm 119 praises the glories of God’s Law.
* [Psalm 119] This Psalm, the longest by far in the Psalter, praises God for giving such splendid laws and instruction for people to live by. The author glorifies and thanks God for the Torah, prays for protection from sinners enraged by others’ fidelity to the law, laments the cost of obedience, delights in the law’s consolations, begs for wisdom to understand the precepts, and asks for the rewards of keeping them.2
In the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches love for enemies.
* [5:43–48] See Lv 19:18. There is no Old Testament commandment demanding hatred of one’s enemy, but the “neighbor” of the love commandment was understood as one’s fellow countryman. Both in the Old Testament (Ps 139:19–22) and at Qumran (1QS 9:21) hatred of evil persons is assumed to be right. Jesus extends the love commandment to the enemy and the persecutor. His disciples, as children of God, must imitate the example of their Father, who grants his gifts of sun and rain to both the good and the bad.3
Beth Samson comments that this Gospel also reminds us that the sun rises, the rain falls, on each of us. We are called to love generously and expansively. Love that is challenging for us as humans, but fully possible for our God.
Loving Christ, I come to you today with what feels impossible – to love my enemy. I ask for the grace and guidance to do so. I ask for trust in you, that you might help me love those whom it is difficult to love. I continue to pray for justice and peace for all those who are persecuted. I offer gratitude to God that the sun rises and the rain falls and that tomorrow will be a new day. Amen.4
Don Schwager quotes “The gift to love all people - even enemies,” by Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"Beg God for the gift to love one another. Love all people, even your enemies, not because they are your brothers and sisters but that they may become such. Love them in order that you may be at all times on fire with love, whether toward those who have become your brothers and sisters or toward your enemies, so that by being beloved they may become your brothers and sisters." (excerpt from Sermon on 1 John 10,7)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 5:43-48 comments that after we have prayed for ourselves, then pray for our enemies. We may find ourselves interceding with greater charity, understanding, or patience. We may sense God moving us to some act of kindness toward that “enemy.” We may feel him giving us a greater compassion for the person. God is infinitely creative, so be ready for him to move us in unexpected directions!
Jesus did not deliver an impossible command. Rather, he delivered a command designed to help you grow in his likeness—to be perfect as he is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Right now, he is ready to give you whatever you need to love your “enemies.” Will you always get it right? No. But you will grow in his love and perfection as you try and try and try again. “Jesus, let me know your love so that I can begin to love my enemies.”6
Friar Jude Winkler explains the great gift to the Israelites of the Law that revealed what God wanted of His people. Jesus changes the Law about enemies in the Sermon on the Mount. Friar Jude reminds us that we are not called to perfectionism, but to compassion and love to respond to the brokenness we find in others.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, shares the work of minister, entrepreneur, and author Cameron Trimble that encourages churches seeking new life to create a “congregational manifesto.” Such a practice helps congregations—and other community groups or families—come to terms with what their core beliefs, values, and hopes really are—and to participate with God in living them out.
Our gratitude for guidance from the Spirit in Law and inspiration is reflected in our love and compassion that includes all people.
References
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