Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you

18 JUNE (Mt 5,43-48)

The logic of God is infinitely different than the logic of man. That of God is the logic of most pure love. That of man is often the logic of hatred, revenge and total absence of love. In the Old Testament God had already manifested his most pure logic.

If your enemy be hungry, give him food to eat, if he be thirsty, give him to drink; For live coals you will heap on his head, and the Lord will vindicate you (Pr 25,21-22).

In the New Testament this divine logic becomes most pure human logic of Lord Jesus. In this logic not only is the enemy not hated, life is offered for the enemy for him to get converted and return to the Father’s house and receive his high filial dignity. This is a logic not only of forgiveness, but of sacrifice, offering, self-annihilation so that the enemy can live. Only God is capable of this logic. Christ Jesus lived it all in his flesh. He asks every one of his disciples that he also lives it in his flesh and according to this logic he lives his every relationship with his enemies.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access (by faith) to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us. For Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly. Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath. Indeed, if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life. Not only that, but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation (Rm 5,1-11).

Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute (you), bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all. Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Rather, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good (Rm 12,9-21).

The logic of God is of a most pure universal love. When Jesus speaks these words he has not yet ascended to the gallows of the cross. They are only at the beginning of his messianic and prophetic ministry. He cannot offer himself as a model of true love.

“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, 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.

In the Upper Room he makes the gesture of the washing of the feet and proposes himself as the one and only model to be followed. He washed our faults with his blood. He went onto the cross for our redemption. He died for us. He offers himself as our only model.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption and Holy Angels help us imitate Jesus Christ.