Early on in his Sermon on the Mount, the Lord explains that the righteousness of his followers is to surpass that of the Scribes and Pharisees.
Now the Scribes and Pharisees prided themselves on their observances of the ritual laws of the Torah and keeping the 10 commandments: they practiced ritual cleanliness, they avoided contact with unclean things and “unclean people” like Gentiles and prostitutes.
But Christians are to strive for true righteousness: to be righteous and God is righteous, to be filled with the life and justice and peace and beauty and love of God.
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 a century ago in grade school, those who misuse their power and authority. Love them.
Love them, forgive them, be patient with them, feed them, clothe them, teach them, serve them, hold no grudges toward them, visit them, pray for them, seek what is best for them. Love them even when it feels like they are scourging you at a pillar, even when they are forcing you to march to your crucifixion.
We see the Lord doing everything he can to solicit the conversion of those who persecute him throughout the course of his ministry, he prays for them even as he is suffering and dying on the cross. And we are called to do the same. That is love. Remaining patient with ones enemies, seeking their conversion, and even praying for them if they nail you to a cross.
This is the way of perfection, because this is what the perfect God did. And the Lord teaches today that we will not really become children of God until we start behaving like God—God who is Love—God who loves everyone, forgives everyone, desires the good of everyone.
Many people in our highly-offendable culture walk around just waiting to attack those who offend them, to verbally assault those who inconvenience them. They are just looking to mark someone as their enemy so they can pummel them with their pent up frustrations, to make them into a scapegoat for all of their problems.
Christians, rather than being at the ready to pounce on our enemies, must be ready to forgive them, to love them.
May the Lord bring about that change of heart in each of us, to readily love with Christ-like love, 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. Let us 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. Let us 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. Let us 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 those who persecute us, and to share the truth of the Gospel with all. Let us pray to the Lord.
For all those who share in the sufferings of Christ—the sick, the sorrowful, and those who are afflicted or burdened in any way. Let us 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. Let us 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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