By Naresh Namindla csc –
Readings: 1Kgs 21:17-29; Mt 5: 43-48
We tend to become friends with the ones whom we like. We love the person who loves us in return. We seek the company of a person with whom we feel at ease. We feel comfortable with the person who understands us. We cherish our life with the people who are close to us. We think that all the above actions make us perfect.
Therefore, we try to ignore the person whom we do not like, while nurturing friendship with like-minded people. Thus we think we become alright and perfect. But, according to today’s Gospel reading we become perfect in God only when we can love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
It is easy to love my friend but it makes more sense and adds value to my life when I am able to understand and love the person whom I do not like. Each time I try to understand and love my enemy; I get ahead to the perfection that Christ demands from me. Thus I cherish the Christian life here on earth. Therefore today’s liturgy challenges us to become perfect like the heavenly Father is perfect by taking a little step to love our enemies and understand them.