Newton Basumatari csc –
Readings: Deut 26: 16-19; Mt 5: 43-48
As we are in the first week of Lent, the word of God reminds us of God’s love and forgiveness. We experience God’s love and forgiveness when we love him with all our hearts and minds and when we follow all his teachings. In the first reading, we hear that God is making a covenant with his chosen one and asking them to follow his commandments.
In the gospel reading we hear Jesus giving a new commandment to his disciples. They are to love not only their neighbours but also their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. What does it mean when Jesus said, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you? It means the disciples are to have inclusive love like God the Father who shows no partiality with his blessings to the living beings on this earth.
All of us have got enemies and persecutors, some of us have bigger enemies, and some have got smaller enemies. Some enemies are from our own families and communities where we stay, and some enemies are from outside. But the point is, how do I deal with them in my day-to-day life? Today Jesus is inviting us to be more like our heavenly Father in our dealings with others. It is possible only when our hearts are filled with God’s love. Let us ask Jesus to fill us with his love.