Can you picture getting to heaven, and the first person you meet is the one you liked least on earth? Its possible. After all, God loves that person just as much as he loves you. Or what about all the evil characters youve read about in the Bible people like Pharaoh, or Jezebel, or King Herod? They dont fall outside the scope of Gods loving intentions either. What God wants for you is what he also wants for your aggravating neighbor, as well as historys worst tyrantsthat they be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48).
Heres another surprise: Your enemy can help you move toward that daunting goal of perfection. Jesus command to be perfect appears right after he explains how to treat those who hate us: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:44-45). In other words, if you want to be perfect, begin by loving your enemies.
Are you thinking, This is too much? Of course it is! Its beyond human powersor it would be, if Jesus hadnt suffered and died for us.
Try to cooperate with the Lord today. Instead of harboring spiteful thoughts, say a short prayer for someone who provokes you. Think about whether there are other people you should be loving more than you donot enemies exactly but people you may take for granted, look down on, or consider undeserving.
Start with those you live and work with. Pay attention to the thoughts that cross your mind as you read the newspaper or see a homeless person on the street. Ask Gods forgiveness when you discover your failures. Take advantage of every invitation to love, and the perfection of God will begin to shine out in you.
Thank you, Father, for creating me for your love. Today, let me accept your transforming grace and take another step toward the perfection to which you are calling me.
Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion
(Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18; Psalm 103:1-4,8,10,12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48)
1. In the first reading from Leviticus 19, the Lord commands us to: Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy. He then provides some commands on how to be holy including: You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart and You shall love your enemy as yourself. How are you doing in living up to these commands? What steps can you take to do better?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, we hear these words regarding the Lords forgiveness and mercy: He pardons all your iniquities, heals all your ills and He redeems your life from destruction, crowns you with kindness and compassion. In what ways have you experienced the Lords forgiveness and mercy? How has it impacted your own ability to forgive others as the Lord has forgiven you?
3. In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that we are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you. He goes on to say that the temple of God, which you are, is holy. What role does the Holy Spirit, the love of God poured into our hearts (Romans 5:5), play in how you love and forgive others?
4. The Gospel reading presents us with these daunting commands: love your enemy and be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. Why is it necessary to personally know and experience the Lords love and forgiveness, in order to forgive those who have wronged you?
5. In the meditation, we hear these words: Your enemy can help you move toward that daunting goal of perfection. Jesus command to be perfect appears right after he explains how to treat those who hate us: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father (Matthew 5:44-45). What do these words mean to you?
6. Take some time to pray that you would experience more deeply your heavenly Fathers transforming love and grace. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point,