Causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust

Dt 26,16-19; Ps 118; Mt 5,43-48
16 MARCH

The disciple of Jesus must love, can love in one way: living the whole Word of his Master, full of grace and of the Holy Spirit, obeying his vocation, his mission, the received sacrament, the gifts or charismas with which he has been enriched. If he comes out of this divine law, he will love with a human love, but not with a supernatural love that saves and redeems, because it converts. This rule, which applies to all, reveals to us that love is not the same for every disciple of the Lord. This diversity is thus revealed by St. Paul both in the Letter to the Romans and in the First Letter to the Corinthians.

I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect. For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned. For as in one body we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness (Rm 12,1-8).

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.  Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it. Some people God has designated in the church to be, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers; then, mighty deeds; then, gifts of healing, assistance, administration, and varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work mighty deeds? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? (Cf. 1Cor 12,1-31).

The disciple of Jesus is the salt of the earth. He must give the taste of God to every man. He is the light of the world. He will have to enlighten every heart with the light of the Word of Jesus. He is a leaven of grace and truth. He must ferment every person of Christ. He is a rain of blessing and of life. He will have to ensure that for him every man is blessed and filled with divine life. How must he be salt, light, yeast and rain? Always obeying the Holy Spirit, respecting what the Spirit has made him: baptized, confirmed, presbyter, bishop, pope, teacher, professor, doctor and missionary in the world, consecrated to prayer.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

To whom must everyone do the good he has been commanded to do? To every man. The mission of the disciple of Jesus is universal. The good to do is particular, of his person, but it must be given to everyone. The Christian is like a tree. Its fruits are special and unique. But everyone collects them and is nourished with them. To all it gives them or allows them to take them. No one should be excluded from the love of the Christian.

Mother of God, Angels and Saints ensure that every disciple of Jesus pour out his love upon all.