Love beyond the ego

Gospel: Mt 5:43-48

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022424.cfm

In today’s gospel, Jesus calls his followers to go beyond societal standards when it comes to loving others. It is easy to love friends and family, but Jesus calls us to love not just them, but our enemies and those who persecute us as well. He calls us to take the divine perspective, not our own isolated individualized perspective. We need to see the world beyond ourselves to the divine perspective where we are all equal and deserving of God’s love.

Jesus wants us to see past the construct that there must be retribution for our actions. When we wish for bad things to happen to those who have wronged us, we are missing the point. When we have hope that people will get what’s coming to them on the day of judgment, we are missing the point as well. God has not given up on anyone, so why should we? Now if someone is harmful or toxic to you, it may be best for you to sever that relationship, but that doesn’t mean that you should wish them harm. 

Our hope should always be in reconciliation and not in retribution or damnation. This is seen in the parable of the lost sheep where the shepherd leaves the flock to find the lost sheep. God doesn’t abandon us when we go astray or leave us to the wolves. If it was that way, there would be no redemption and we would all be damned. Think of all the things we do both intentionally and unintentionally that cause harm to others. We are all the enemy that is deserving of love.

God has the sun rise on the bad and good, and the rain falls on the just and the unjust. God is not keeping score. God is seeking our reconciliation, our redemption, and our relationship. God wants us to want the same, not just for ourselves, but for those that we may find the least deserving.

Make peace with your enemies.