Love knows no bounds, it reaches all,
Even those who make us stumble and fall.
Jesus taught us to love, not just in return,
But to extend our hearts, let His love burn.
Not just to friends, but to foes alike,
To respond with kindness, not with strike.
Pray for those who bring hostility near,
For in this way, God’s love becomes clear.
God’s love is perfect, to the wicked kind,
To the ungrateful heart, His grace we find.
We’re called to be perfect, as our Father above,
To mature in love, in His righteousness move.
Let us examine how we treat each soul,
To grow in compassion, to make us whole.
Reflecting God’s love in all that we do,
A testament of grace, forever true.
REFLECTION:
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. (Matthew 5:43-45)
Jesus teaches that love should not be limited to those who love us back, but extended to everyone, including our enemies. Instead of seeking revenge, we are called to respond to hostility with kindness and prayer. Loving our enemies is a way to imitate the unconditional love of God, who is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
The call to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect is a call to mature in love and moral character, striving for a higher standard of righteousness. Let us examine how we treat others and to grow in love and compassion, reflecting God’s love in our lives.
Lord Jesus, Teacher of love divine, Your command to love is a holy sign. Not limited to those who love us back, But extended to all, none do we lack.
Teach us to love our enemies too, To respond with kindness in all we do. Instead of revenge, let prayer be our call, Reflecting Your grace that covers all.
You show us the way of unconditional love, Kind to the ungrateful, Your mercy from above. Help us to strive for perfection in You, In love and moral character, make us true.
May we examine how we treat friend and foe, In love and compassion, let us grow. Reflecting Your love in our daily lives, Through Your grace and truth that never dies.
To be perfect as our heavenly Father is pure, A call to righteousness that will endure. Lord Jesus, guide us in this lifelong quest, To love like You, and in Your peace rest. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
LOVE OF ENEMIES
Matthew 5:43-48
Gospel Acclamation
I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.
Gospel | Matthew 5:43-48
43 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Background:
Matthew 5:43-48 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.
In these verses, Jesus challenges the common understanding of love limited to those who love us in return. He teaches that true righteousness involves loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us. This teaching was revolutionary because it extended the concept of love beyond one’s immediate community to include all people, even those considered adversaries. Jesus emphasizes that this kind of love reflects the perfection and impartiality of God, who gives good things to all people regardless of their moral standing.
Learning Lessons:
Matthew 5:43-48 offers several key lessons:
Universal Love: Jesus teaches that love should not be limited to those who love us back, but extended to everyone, including our enemies.
Non-Retaliation: Instead of seeking revenge, we are called to respond to hostility with kindness and prayer.
Imitating God’s Love: Loving our enemies is a way to imitate the unconditional love of God, who is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Moral Perfection: The call to be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect is a call to mature in love and moral character, striving for a higher standard of righteousness.
These teachings encourage us to examine how we treat others and challenge us to grow in love and compassion, reflecting God’s love in our lives.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
