Love of Enemies: The Demand of Faith

 Reflection on Today’s readings, 1^st Week of Lent C, Saturday 12^th March, 2022

Texts: Deut. 26:16-19; Psalm 119: 1-2.4-5.7-8; Matt. 5:43-48

Jesus, in today’s gospel reading, asks us to love our enemies. Truth need be said that it is not always easy as human to love one’s enemies; it is the sign of the divine element in us. Love of enemies is rather based on faith than reason. It is not based on reason because it is against the law of self-defense and self-preservation; it is more of self-giving. Loving one’s enemies is a demand of faith in God.

Jesu Christ calls us to look up to God in whatever we do or say. In his words: “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the just.” We are called to be light and we cannot be light if we do not stand out in conduct and in our ways of life. Hence, Jesus says, “for if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”

Moses, in the first reading, reminds us that it is by keeping the commandments of that we are bound to God in covenant, declaring Him to be our God and making us his people for His own possession. Moses also affirms that it is the promise of God that we stand out by keeping His commandment. It is expressed thus: “that he will set you high above all nations that he has made, in praise and in fame and in honour”.  God wills that His name is praise and honoured through us.

God our Father, we thank You for Your love towards us, pour out your grace upon us that we may live life to manifest your love in the world. Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke