Teaching us fallen humans how to love is at the heart of Jesus’ mission. He tells us today that not only are we to love our neighbor, but our enemies as well: those who persecute you, those who sin against you, those with whom your country is at war, those who cut you off in traffic, those who may have bullied you a half-century ago in grade school, those who seem to be bringing ruin to our country and even our church. Love them.
God loves them indiscriminately and generously; he seeks that they be perfected in love just as he seeks that we be perfected in love. Jesus died for them, just as he died for us. To be perfect like God is to love not only our nice neighbors but everyone, to do good to not just those who do us good, but to all.
When Jesus commands us to love, he’s not talking about a feeling, but concrete acts of love. Feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, sheltering the homeless, counseling the doubtful, instructing the ignorant, praying for the living and the dead, forgiving injuries.
Maximus the Confessor wrote, “Readiness to do good to someone who hates us is a characteristic of perfect love.”
Charity is to be shown to all irrespective of color, distance, nation, or character.
Do you find readiness to love in yourself? Readiness, eagerness, willingness, inclination to engage in those acts of love. Would those who are close to you describe you as someone that is eager to love anyone you met? Eager to forgive, eager to pray, eager to take someone under your wing, eager to share the Gospel?
Charity is a virtue. It’s a habit. It’s hard in the beginning, but as any habit, it gets easier, and then it becomes joyful.
The Eucharist is the Sacrament of Charity—it is the gift that Jesus Christ makes of himself, thus revealing to us God’s infinite love for every man and woman. May the Eucharist we receive today draw us deeper into the life of God who is love, the God who loves us perfectly, that we may be instruments of that same boundless charity, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That the bishops of the Church will act as true prophets through their faithful teaching, their courageous witness, and their self-sacrificing love. We pray to the Lord.
That government leaders around the world may carry out their duties with justice, honesty, and respect for freedom and the dignity of human life. We pray to the Lord.
For the Church’s missions amongst the poor and unevangelized throughout the world, that the work of Christ may be carried out with truth and love. We pray to the Lord.
For the grace to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, to love our neighbors and enemies, and to share the truth of the Gospel with all. We pray to the Lord.
That the Lord will be close to all those who share in the sufferings of Christ—the sick, the sorrowful, and those who are afflicted or burdened in any way. We pray to the Lord.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, for the deceased priests and religious of the diocese of Cleveland, for the poor souls in purgatory, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray to the Lord.
O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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