the wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust. If you love those who love
you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only
to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much? As for you,
be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reflection:

The most difficult thing to do in following the
Lord is the commandment to love. This is not just a
mushy feeling of tenderness but an informed decision
to continuously desire the good of the other. One
need not be friends in order to love others. One
needs only to be sensitive to the God image shining
on the other and honoring that divine icon breaking
through with your positive regard of the other. This
requires a lot of spiritual strength. That’s why only
the spiritually evolved can do this. The martyr saints
for example are joyful amidst the persecution of
their fellow humans. They are even forgiving and
tender towards them. It is because they have found
and understood the way to live that Jesus preaches
during His ministry.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2021