Daily Word Of God
Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike.
‘For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even the tax collectors do as much? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Do not even the gentiles do as much? You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- God teaches us to love our enemies because He loves everyone! Do we feel “cheated?” Do we expect God to punish our enemies? But God came to save all peoples especially sinners.
- When we find it difficult to forgive, God wants us to transcend our hurt and even go so far as to see the good in every person.
- We are all called to develop a Christian attitude of reaching out to all peoples because God sees them as “loveable” and more importantly redeemable. So, we are each challenged to love everyone in radical Christ-like ways.