“LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY BE CHILDREN OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN” (Matt 5:44-45)

⏰Saturday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time Year 2 (23 January 2022)

📖2 Sam 1:1-4, 11-12, 19, 23-27; Ps 80:2-3, 3-4, 5-7 (R.v.4b); Mark 3:20-21

🎤”LOVE YOUR ENEMIES AND PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY BE CHILDREN OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN” (Matt 5:44-45)

Yesterday, we considered some of the attitudes of David that earned him the title of a man after God’s heart. His archenemy, Saul was placed in his hands, but instead of destroying him, he spared his life because he could see the divine in him despite his inclination to evil.

Not only would he not destroy Saul, he also did not wish that any evil should befall him. Upon hearing the news of Saul’s death, he went into mourning for him and his son, Jonathan. That is madness! Is it not?

Indeed, it is madness! You cannot follow Jesus faithfully without appearing to be mad in the eyes of the world. Consider what Jesus’ friends said of him today, “He is beside himself” (Mark 3:21), that is, he is out of his mind.

As a Christian, what will you do if a member of the Boko Haram sect or killer herdsmen runs for safety into your home, especially if you have lost someone close to you in the insurgency?

Loving your enemies will make you appear mad in the eyes of the world, yet, that is the way we can resemble Jesus (see Luke 23:34) and be called children of God (cf. Matt 5:44).

May God give us the grace and courage to follow the example of David, loving our enemies and praying for them to change. Amen.

Have a happy weekend. It is well with you.