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Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say
to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…”
Matthew 5:43–44
Why would we want to love our enemies and pray for those who
persecute us? The fallen natural mind alone reasons that an enemy
is someone we should oppose and distance ourselves from, and those
who persecute us deserve our wrath and condemnation. Without grace,
our minds are incapable of comprehending this command. As the
passage continues, Jesus answers the question for us: “that you may
be children of your heavenly Father…”
A child inherits his or her DNA from the mother and father.
Children often resemble their parents, adopt certain traits, and
might imitate some of their habits. These similarities result from
both biology and learned behavior. If we choose God the Father as
our true Father in Heaven, becoming a member of Jesus’ family, we
must inherit God’s spiritual “DNA,” adopt His traits, and imitate
our Lord’s moral habits. Otherwise, we are not children of our
heavenly Father.
Just as membership in an earthly family carries obligations—such as
compassion, support, and faithfulness—so does membership in God’s
family, with even greater responsibilities. For example, if a child
of an earthly family rebels, is hostile, rejects his parents and
siblings, and leaves them, the child loses out on the numerous
blessings of family life, especially when the parents and other
siblings are faithful servants of God. Likewise, by refusing to
follow God’s divine commands, we miss out on the blessings He gives
His children.
Because being a member of God’s family demands great love, Jesus
addresses the ultimate requirement He expects of us: “be perfect,
just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” True, we might only
attain perfection in Heaven once we experience the purifying fires
of Purgatory. However, that doesn’t change the family obligations
our Father imposes upon us in this life. God expects perfection,
including a radical love of everyone—those who love us and those
deemed “enemies” or who persecute us.
The love to which God calls us knows no bounds because our heavenly
Father’s love for us knows no bounds. True children take on His
spiritual DNA and moral habits. Moral perfection leads to spiritual
communion with God—Divine Union—a gift beyond anything a rebellious
spiritual child could attain through effort alone.
Reflect today on God’s incredible invitation given to you to be a
member of His family. As you hear that invitation and respond with
acceptance, consider the requirements that result from that choice.
Look at those in your life for whom you hold a grudge, have a
complicated relationship, or have been hurt. Do not act according
to natural reason alone. Allow your mind to be elevated by truth so
that you understand what God expects of you, and allow your will to
be strengthened by grace so that you can act toward others as your
heavenly Father acts toward you.
Most loving God, Your love never fails, never diminishes, never
changes. It is perfect in every way. My love is often selfish,
limited, and erratic. I accept Your invitation to be a member of
Your heavenly family and pray that I will learn to see all people
with Your wisdom and love them with Your heart. Forgive me for my
lack of love, and transform me into Your child by grace. Jesus, I
trust in You.
Image: Église Saint-Martin de Castelnau-d'Estrétefonds, CC BY-SA
4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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