A Matter of Perception

June 17: Tuesday of Week 11 of Ordinary Time, Year A-II:

A thought for those who want to reveal the risen Jesus in their lifestyle.

1Kings 21:17-29; Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6, 11, 16; Matthew 5:43-48

“Love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44

God cannot command a contradiction in terms—like, to draw a square circle, or to love people we see as enemies. So this new teaching is more about identification than love. If we see ourselves as “children of our heavenly Father,” we will see others as our brothers and sisters; even if, from their side, they are acting like enemies. Then we can love them as family, not enemies.

God doesn’t treat anyone as an enemy. He “makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,” because he sees us all as his children, no matter what we do. We must do likewise: greet and pray for everyone., seek relationships, and want everyone “to be and to become all they can be.” This is the definition of love.

By “grace” we share God’s life. God’s life is interaction between Father, Son and Spirit—the communal passion of one shared being, understanding and love. So the goal of Christian life and action is that “all may be one” and “come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,” one with God and each other as the Father, Son and Spirit are one ” (John 17:21; Ephesians 4:13).

This is to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” That is the New Law.

PRAY: “Lord, let me see so I can love.”

PRACTICE: See and deal with everyone as your brother or sister.