Reading: Deut 26:16-19; Matt 5:43-48

In the first reading, Moses commands the people to obey God’s commands with all their heart and soul. He reminds them that God has loved them as God’s own special people and has made this covenant with them. In the Gospel passage Jesus tells us, “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…” This can be a real challenge! Only by God’s grace are we able to pray for those who annoy us, insult us, injure us, or hate us. Yet Jesus reminds us that our Heavenly Father “…makes his sun shine on the bad and the good and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” Let us pray for the grace to follow the command of Jesus to love all people, especially those we find difficult to love.

Prayer:
“Loving Father, God of all-encompassing and unconditional love, we know your way is the only way to true happiness. Lead us in right paths so that we may be a mirror of your love to the world.

Action:
Think of someone you find difficult to love. Ask God to bless them. Ask God to open your heart to love this person, to want only the best for them, according to God’s will.