Vamshi Eedara csc –
Readings: 2 Cor 8:1-9; Mt 5:43-48
In today’s gospel reading Jesus invites us to imitate the heavenly father and be perfect like him. God’s perfection is seen in his actions that show no partiality. In the same way we are invited to love our enemies. We are not only invited to love but also to pray for those who persecute us. Then we will grow in holiness and become perfect children of the Father.
Jesus is calling us to become like the Father, which is a big challenge humanly speaking. With the power of the Holy Spirit, he knew his followers can do it. The call to love our enemies and to pray for our persecutors is a continuous one. It may not be easy at first but with constant reminder and prayer we will be able to do so.
To be perfect is to be like our heavenly Father whose sunshine and rain bless all without any discrimination. If we love only those who love us, then we are just like anyone else including those who do not believe in Jesus. It is the task of a disciple to do more and go beyond to make everyone know the compassionate love of the Father.
In Jn 13: 35 he says, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. The image of God is love and we were created in that image. Our life must reflect that image in our day-to-day life.