Homily on Matthew 5: 43-48.,”Love Your Enemies, (Saturday the 15th of March 2025)

Praise be to Jesus Christ

A farmer once went to draw water from a village well, and when he arrived, he saw another man drawing water from the same well. Earlier, this man had stolen from him, taking his finest seeds and defaming him. Anger burned in the farmer’s heart and he thought of taking revenge against him. While thinking about it, however, the picture of Jesus on the cross and Jesus’ important teaching on forgiveness came into his mind. Taking a deep breath, the farmer decided to help that man with the heavy pot he was struggling to lift. The man was pleasantly surprised. Instead of his expected hatred, he received kindness. Gradually, the farmer walked away without uttering a word. But now, a mark had been left on that man’s heart. Such a simple deed of kindness encouraged him to change for the better and melted his heart.  Eventually the two men became good friends and began to help each other and also everyone else they came across who was in need.

The Gospel of today gives us a challenging teaching from Jesus: “Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.” Everyone finds it easy to love those who care for them, even the worst of sinners. However, Jesus sets the bar higher. He challenges us to love like the Father loves, who gives kindness to everyone regardless of the good and evil involved just as the sun shines on everyone regardless. For God the father, it is an unconditional love not in words, but actualised in action.

One of the best examples of this kind of unconditional love can be seen in the life of Joseph of the Old Testament. When his brothers sold him into slavery, Joseph later became second in command to Pharaoh, ruler of Egypt. By strange circumstances, the brothers who had enslaved him were desperate for help as they were starving and came to Joseph for help although they did not recognise him at first. Instead of bitterness and revenge, Joseph helped his brothers in their time of need. He perceived and understood God’s intention in everything. His form of love was a choice, not just an emotion.

There is also a beautiful incident in the life of St. Therese of Lisieux. A sister in her convent showed resentment to Therese, always finding something wrong with whatever did. Therese made a decision to love her regardless of the unjust hurt towards her. Eventually, Therese’ attitude of love completely changed the sister. Jesus speaks of this love in today’s gospel and shows what a powerful and effective weapon love can be over our opponents. However, it might take time but we must always try.

Gandhi once said “the weak never forgives because forgiveness is the signature of strong people”.

To love an enemy really means to break the chain of hatred and to choose to be like Jesus in the Gospel who unconditionally forgave all even those who persecuted him praying “Father forgive them for they do not know that what they are doing.”

Since we are in the season of Lent it would be very beneficial to each one of us to ask ourselves, whether I need to forgive someone and also do I find it hard to forgive someone. It also might be good to reflect how I can show love to someone even though it is difficult. Lastly, we must reflect deeply and each one of us ask ourselves whether we must imitate the love of God in our lives today or do I make the effort to love only those who love me.

Let us pray to the lord: Oh! Lord Jesus Christ, give me a heart just like Yours that I may love every one as You love me. Amen