Readings: 2 Cor 6:1-10; Psalm 98; Mt 5:38-42 Christ in His sermon on the Mount urges us to love our enemies. This was a complete surprise to the people of His time. It was completely contrary to the Law of Retaliation as found in the Old Testament. This New Law of Retaliation puts a completely different slant, that is, a Christian stamp, on love.Christ’s words are clear. He gives four examples of ways in which others could hurt us.
First by physical violence: Jesus recommends no retaliation but rather that we suffer it.
Secondly, He gives an example of legal action. “If anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well”. This means, go even beyond giving.
The third area is one of forced labor. If anyone forces you to one mile, go also the second mile.
The fourth is Jesus recommends that we are not to turn our backs on a borrower, be he friend of foe. Christ explains why this love of enemy is so important. He says it is proof that we are children of our heavenly Father, who lets the sun shine and the rain fall on the good and bad, just and the unjust.
Loving our friends, those whom we naturally love, those who do good to us, is a very easy thing. It proves nothing about our Christian attitude. Tax collectors and pagans do the same. What more do we do then? The real proof is the love of those whom we find repulsive, who always seem to hurt us, who never show any appreciation. Here we show that our love is firmly based in God.
Jesus gave us the best example of love of enemies: “Forgive them, Father! They don’t know what they are doing”. Let us love God as He loves us with immeasurable Love. Blessings.