Matthew 5:43-48

Meditation: What makes Christians different from others and what
makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace –
treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated
– with loving-kindness and mercy. God is good to the unjust as well as
the just. His love embraces saint and sinner alike. God seeks our highest
good and teaches us to seek the greatest good of others, even those who
hate and abuse us. Our love for others, even those who are ungrateful and
selfish towards us, must be marked by the same kindness and mercy which
God has shown to us. It is easier to show kindness and mercy when we can
expect to benefit from doing so. How much harder when we can expect nothing
in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill both breaks the power of
revenge and releases the power of love to do good in the face of evil.
How can we possibly love those who cause us harm or ill-will? With God
all things are possible. He gives power and grace to those who believe
and accept the gift of the Holy Spirit. His love conquers all, even our
hurts, fears, prejudices and griefs. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can
free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and
gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has
power to heal and to save from destruction. Do you know the power of Christ's
redeeming love and mercy?
Was Jesus exaggerating when he said we must be perfect as our heavenly
Father is perfect? The original meaning of "perfect" in Aramaic is "completeness"
or "wholeness – not lacking in what is essential." God gives us every good
gift in Jesus Christ so that we may not lack anything we need to do his
will and to live as his sons and daughters (2 Peter 1:3). He knows our
weakness and sinfulness better than we do. And he assures us of his love,
mercy, and grace to follow in his ways. Do you want to grow in your love
for God and for your neighbor? Ask the Holy Spirit to change and transform
you in the image of the Father that you may walk in the joy and freedom
of the gospel.
"Lord Jesus, your love brings freedom and pardon. Fill me with your
Holy Spirit and set my heart ablaze with your love that nothing may make
me lose my temper, ruffle my peace, take away my joy, nor make me bitter
towards anyone."
This reflection is courtesy of Don Schwager (c) 2012, whose website is located at http://www.rc.net/wcc/readings

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Robin K Brookes
69 Beresford Road
LOWESTOFT
NR32 2NQ  UK