Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48

 

In today’s Gospel we see how Jesus has interpreted the commandment you shall love your neighbor. Jesus completes the ancient way of observing this commandment and indicates the new way to attain the objective of the law, which is the practice of love.

 

Love your enemies. In today's Gospel Jesus quotes the ancient law which says: You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy. This text is not found like this in the Old Testament. It is more a question of the mentality of the time, according to which there was no problem if a person hated his enemy. Jesus was not in agreement and Jesus gives us the proof. At the hour of His death He observed that which He preached.

 

Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing. Jesus prays and addresses His prayer to the Father: Father, forgive them! They know not what they are doing! He loved the soldier who killed Him. Even wanting it with all their strength, the lack of humanity did not succeed to kill in Jesus His humanity and love! 

 

The water of the love which sprang from within was stronger than the poison of hatred. Jesus, in solidarity, almost excuses those who were ill-treating and torturing Him. He loved the enemy!

 

Jesus wants to change the system of human living altogether. The notion which He constructs comes from the new experience He has from God the Father, full of tenderness and who accepts all!