Gospel Reading for March 15, 2025 – Matthew 5: 43-48
NECESSARY
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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A lot of people ask: “Was it really NECESSARY for the Son of God to come into the world and become human?” Well, this is a classic example of why it was necessary for Jesus to come into the world. Something was wrong in the Jews’ interpretation of the 10 Commandments. The 10 Commandments were given so people may be guided on the meaning of LOVE, and here you find them not understanding it at all. How can “an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth” (Matthew 5: 38-42) be about love?
LOVE is not about hatred and revenge. It is the opposite. LOVE does not discriminate. It is all inclusive. Imagine if there is no LOVE in the world, it would have ended a long, long time ago!
Lord Jesus, we thank the Father for sending you to us and teaching us how to live in your divine grace!
