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Gospel Reading for February 28, 2026 – Matthew 5: 43-48
“UNLOVABLE”
Jesus said to his disciples: “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 and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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When Jesus tells us to “be perfect,” we may be tempted to argue that this is impossible, since the Father did not create us equal to him in perfection. In fact, some even use this as an excuse for sin. God is perfect—that is precisely why he is God. Yet, he created us in his image and likeness. As human beings, we share in certain attributes that reflect him: rationality and reason, moral capacity and conscience, free will, creativity, self-awareness, the ability to form relationships, and a certain stewardship over creation.
What Jesus truly means is that we are to strive for perfection because we have been given the capacity to grow toward it. He calls us to live according to the design of the Giver of life. When we aim for excellence in what we do, we do not become divine—but we do become the best version of ourselves.
Consider a simple example: a student who strives for excellence in his or her studies learns more deeply and performs better. The time and effort invested bear meaningful fruit. The same principle applies to our moral and spiritual lives. Growth requires intention, discipline, and perseverance.
Just as God loves all of us—including sinners—Jesus teaches that we are not to choose whom we will love. True Christian love goes beyond preference and comfort. In fact, when we love those who seem “UNLOVABLE,” we begin to understand what it really means to love as God loves.
Lord Jesus, teach us to give ourselves generously to others, just as you continually give yourself to us!
