We are called to love others. We know this. It is the second commandment Jesus gave us. But we often fail to actually live that commandment. For the commandment is not to love only those who love us or are related to us. It’s more. It’s not only to love people as a whole. It’s easy to say I love all people. But it means something greater than an abstract love.
Jesus gives us specific examples of those who offend us, those who hurt us. Even those who take what is ours. Including our peace.
Jesus says love them.
And that is the hard part. But we also need to remember this love is not the feeling of fondness we often relate love to. The love Jesus talks about is more about discipline and relationship than feelings.
We may indeed not like someone very much. And if they hurt us, we will definitely not feel much fondness in their presence.
But we are still called to love them by putting their needs first. By rejecting any thoughts of revenge, punishment, or retribution.
We are to keep focused on helping them if we can and offering no violence in actions or speech.
And while we do not want to actively put ourselves in harm’s way, we do want to offer our prayers for them and seek the best for them.
And that is the hard part.
Until we remember Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.
While we were hard to be fond of.
Gospel
Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”
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