St Matthew 5: 43 – 48
‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Reflection
We follow the rules 100%, right? Jesus has been challenging a simple ‘rules-based’ view of God’s commandments and reimagining them as a way of living that gives life, encourages deep relationships, and feeds our souls. For people who like easy to follow rules, it’s challenging stuff – culminating with the ever-so problematic “love your enemies and pray” for them. I can’t just throw charity at them and call it love; something in me needs to want to seek God’s blessing for them through prayer.
Specifically, Jesus is reimagining Leviticus 19:18 – the “love your neighbour as yourself” bit. Before we are tempted to think this only applies to people who are ‘like us,’ Jesus reminds us that God’s kindness of sun and rain is given to all people. He also says that those people who society perceived to be unlovable by God (i.e. tax collectors and Gentiles) understand how to love those who are ‘like them’. However, God’s people are called to be “perfect” like God – to share kindness without distinction. We are encouraged to remember our place in God’s creation and that our perceived enemies are loved by the same God who loves us. This teaching touches every sphere – politics, sports, community, education, commerce, family, church, identity, etc. It’s a difficult teaching, but it’s a teaching we need to hear if we humans are ever going to “be perfect” like God.
I used to see the word “perfect” here like getting 100% on a test, which implies that to be imperfect was to get things wrong, to be less than 100%. However, the “perfect” Jesus talks about is growing up or maturing as disciples. Part of growing up or maturing as God’s people is realising that just as God’s kindness through Creation is universal, so is God’s love. Mature disciples are called to love as God loves, without categorising people into “us vs them.”
Prayer
God, help me to grow up.
Help me to reflect Your character
and to be a positive difference.
Help me to love those
I find annoying or challenging.
Help me to pray
and to seek Your best for them.
Spend time praying for at least one person.
God, I ask that You pour
Your blessings upon this person.
Let them know of Your love.
Amen