TO LOVE OUR ENEMY IS TO LOVE GOD

 Sunday, February 19, 2023

SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)

First Reading.  Leviticus 19: 1-2, 17-18   
Psalm. 103: 1-4, 8, 10, 12-13 (R. 8a)
Second Reading. I Corinthians 3: 16-23
Gospel. Matthew 5: 38-45

TOPIC FOR REFLECTION 

THE LOVE OF THE ENEMY IS THE PERFECT LOVE OF GOD. 

A sinner and especially, an unrepentant sinner is an enemy of God, yet God still showers His merciful love and compassion over that unrepentant sinner. Isn't that great? 

Similarly, we the sinners are always happy that God still loves us despite our sinful nature. 

In that regard, since we are happy that God still loves us despite our sinful nature, He, God now encourages us to love our enemies in the same manner. 

This will bring to perfection our love for Him (God) as His love for us is perfect despite our sinful nature. 

My dear, this is very hard oooooh. Hmmm. But it is possible. 

On the contrary, it seems the enemy of Christians knows and had mastered this passage of the scripture where in today's Gospel Jesus said to his disciples:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 

Perhaps, some of them who have access to our Holy Bible had read it over and over again and decided to take advantage of this passage and used it against Christians. 

Now, what about a situation where...

***Injustice is promoted, and justice is demoted.

***Corruption had been made king of the nation, while honesty has been turned into a slave

***Evil is promoted, while good is demoted

***Those who share money win the political position, while those who do not share money lose the election.

This is 2023, so no vote buying, we must get it right by voting for a credible leader. 

***The followers supporting those who loot and destroy their future after receiving peanuts, how will the corrupt politicians not succeed?

Wait, let me ask... 

***Should the Nigerians after experiencing a lack of money, lack of basic amenities of life, scarcity of fuel nationwide, etc, still out of Christian charity turn their other chick to this bad government by electing them again?

Hmmm, Nigeria My Country, I Hail Thee.

Practicing Christianity in Nigeria now is very difficult.

However, in all of these, it is an opportunity for us to express our faith in God.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this is where one would know that it is hard to be a true Christian. 

The measure of true Christianity is not built on bread and butter, wealth, and the accumulation of material wealth but the test of faith. 

More so, the good news is that we have had many saints in the past who had shown love by forgiving their murderers, below are well-known among many. These saints show love to their enemies.

***St. John Paul II forgave the man who shot him in 1982. 

***St. Maria Goretti forgave the man who stabbed her to death because she did not allow him to rape her when she was 11 years

***St. Stephen was stoned to death which was approved by Paul in Acts. 7:60.

The prayer Stephen prayed aided the conversion of St. Paul.

***Our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, while He was dying, forgave all those who persecuted Him, and even the thief at His right hand.

Forgiveness is an expression of love.

In summary, I must admit with you that it is not easy to forgive not to talk of showing love to one's enemies like those killing and destroying our families, Christians, and the church at large.

Let us heed the advice given to us from the first reading, it says: 

---You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him. 

---You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge against the sons of your people. 

---However, you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Therefore, let us just pray 🙏 that God should give us a forgiving heart, a heart of love for humanity, remembering that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit because the temple of the Holy Spirit does not harbor evil. 

Peace ✌️ be with you.

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.


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