Readings: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, Ps. 146:2,5-9, Matthew 5:43-48
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven… And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44-48)
Having been created by a perfect God, Jesus tells us today that we are called to perfection. You may wonder, what does it mean to be perfect? Does it mean becoming as strong and as powerful as God? Does it mean becoming sinless and infallible? Does it mean seeing visions of Angels? In straightforward terms, Jesus defines perfection as the ability to love our enemies and treat those who persecute us with kindness and compassion when we have the opportunity to strike back at them. To be perfect is to be like God, who lets His rain fall on both good and evil.
To be perfect is to love your enemies and pray for them like Jesus Christ on the Cross, who said: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). Jesus prayed for his enemies; He did not pray against them. He did not ask God to bring fire from heaven to crush them. When James and John prayed for fire to consume the Samaritans for refusing to receive Jesus, Jesus rebuked them. (Luke 9:54). Praying for the death of your enemies is a waste of time because God will always ignore such requests.
Whenever we read passages like today’s Gospel passage, there is always an inner battle within our hearts. For instance, let us consider the case of the killing (burning to death) of over two hundred Christians in Nigeria. Is Jesus saying we should fold our hands (do nothing) while our enemies continue to plunder us? No. To understand today’s passage, we must juxtapose it with Matthew 10:16-23:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep amid wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men… Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death; and all will hate you for my name’s sake…. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the cities of Israel, before the Son of man comes.”
What do serpents do when they are under attack? What about doves? Do they remain in one position or try to defend themselves? In Luke 4:29, when Jesus was forcefully taken to the brow of the hill on which the city of Nazareth was built and was about to be thrown down, what did He do? Jesus is not saying we should be suicidal; instead, He is teaching us to avoid hatred for others. In the face of unprovoked attacks, we must do everything possible to defend ourselves, fight back or flee for safety. We must use every power we have to disarm, overpower or bring down our enemies, but we must never harbour hatred towards them.
We were all enemies of God when He chose to die for our sake. God could have ended all life on earth as He did to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) or during the flooding of the world (Genesis 6-9), but He chose the more difficult path – He came down Himself to redeem us. He came to show us that it is possible to be human and be good. When Jesus was eating with the tax collectors and sinners, the holier-than-thou Pharisees felt Jesus was stepping out of line. To be perfect is to be kind to those who don’t deserve your kindness; it is showing them love in the hope of bringing them to the right path. However, you must protect yourself while showing them love.
If, as a result of these attacks, we allow hatred to build up in our hearts, we have failed; we have become like our enemies. According to St. Paul: “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, understand all mysteries and knowledge, and have all faith, to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions and hand over my body so that I may boast but not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
Meanwhile, in today’s first reading, St. Paul praises the churches of Macedonia for their generosity despite their extreme poverty. I have realised that when people are touched by the message and work of the minister, they are ready to go to any length to ensure they lack nothing. As such, the minister must have the attitude of St. Paul, being careful not to develop a sense of entitlement or exploit the people. Indeed, this would require trusting entirely in God’s providence.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, help us to grow in perfection. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Tuesday of week 11 in Ordinary Time, Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, Ps. 146:2,5-9, Matthew 5:43-48).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu