The scripture readings for this reflection can be found at Saturday of the First Week of Lent | USCCB
In our gospel for today the Lord is asking us to do something that seems to go against our human nature: to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute you. This is very challenging for us to do. It's easy to love those we are naturally attracted to and have things in common with. But love those who wish us harm and want to hurt us? Really? But that is what the Lord is calling us to do. If we are to be truly his followers, we have to follow the way of love towards ALL people, and especially towards those that we find easy to hate and despise.
In the political climate over the last several years it seems that "hate" is the "in-thing", and name calling is acceptable. Whether it's towards the current occupant of the White House or the previous one, it's become acceptable to hate and name call rather than to try to show love and respect while respectfully disagreeing with their policies. We are called to pray for our leaders, whether we like them or not.
Unfortunately, also, this hatred has spread to family and friends who may not share the same points of view. I find it very sad that, as Christians, we can't show the love that Christ is calling to have towards those we disagree with. We attack and name call rather than pray for each other.
Prayer is a powerful thing to do for those we may hate or despise. If we find it hard to pray for them using our own words, we can use the words that Jesus used from the cross: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Let us during this Lent follow the command of Love that Jesus is calling us to have for one another. And let us pray for those who we may feel a natural hatred for. All people, no matter how we may feel towards them, are made in the image of God and deserve our love and prayers.
From Arlene B. Muller
ReplyDeleteAmen. Excellent.
I agree about the political situation & the division & hatred & division in our country. It is important to separate passion & strong opinions about issues from the individual persons, just as it is important to hate sin but love sinners regardless of their sin(s).
There are some issues that are a matter of right vs wrong & good vs evil, but there are others that require people of varying opinions to engage in dialogue & brainstorming together to arrive at workable compromise solutions. We need to try to stop stereotyping people & categories of people. We need to look for the content of character of each person & find out what may be some trait of goodness & common ground instead of judging people on the basis of gender, race, religion, and/or immigration status. Hatred & bitterness are destruction to self, others, & to the society in which we live.
If we can only start to cultivate love, respect & civility we can begin to work to solve our problems.