Matthew 5:43-48

Reflection

Jesus tells the people they must love their enemies as well as their neighbors. Even the evil and unjust love their neighbors, and Jesus calls everyone to be perfect as God is perfect.

Again, Jesus desires a higher standard of living for us. We must go beyond the bare minimum of loving our neighbors, families, friends – which is easy to do – and rather extend that same love to those we dislike.

So many people are caught up in their own lives, bitter towards those ‘outside’ their circles, disliking others because of their beliefs and opinions. During this Lent, let us extend Christ’s love to all we encounter. Being Christ to another shows someone they are cherished by God, even if they don’t know it. Let’s give them that gift as Jesus himself does.

Saint of the Day

St. Louise de Marillac: 1591 – 1660

“I hope that our good God will bless the care you give, and I pray that He will grant you sufficient strength to overcome the little difficulties you will encounter.”   St. Louise de Marillac