Gospel
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,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
We are reminded today that all peoples are loved by God.
That no longer can we choose who to love and who to reject based on relationship or friendship.
For all are blessed by God.
And if our Lord loves all, we know we too are called to that love, and he expects us to act on it. To reach out to all people who are now our brothers and sisters.
It is a radical idea rejected by the world in all corners. In fact, today people are being divided against each other more than before. The evil one has turned political party against political party, nation against nation and even old alliances are now tested.
Families are divided, friendships depend on political bias. Relationships limited to like mindedness.
But for you and me, we are called to something bigger. Something more valuable than following blind leaders who throw stones at others. We are calls to follow our leader …Jesus Christ who died for all people.
Should we not also strive to that level of love?
Deacon Tony Pynes 
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