I can’t help but be immensely grateful that we have a compassionate God. He cares for both the “evil and the good,” the “righteous and unrighteous.” I often identify with the righteous elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son. Instead of being happy for someone, I’d feel envy creep in—sometimes out of pride (I was better!), other times out of frustration (I’ve been doing the same thing. What’s wrong with me?!). Both situations hinder me to love my neighbor and see God’s glorious work in others’ lives.

Good thing that even though I fail miserably in the attitude department, God’s saving mercy always comes through. He convicts me to check my motives and purify my intentions. Receiving God’s forgiveness again and again breaks down my pride till what’s left is my vulnerable heart. His love renews my heart so I can extend the same love to others.

Admittedly, I still have a long way to go. But I cling to the Source who never runs out of love to give. 

Maymay Salvosa Trinidad (christiane.trinidad@gmail.com) 

reflect

Is there someone whom you need to forgive or pray for? Ask God to help you love your enemy or persecutors by praying for them today. 

Merciful Father, teach me Your ways. Help me to love, embrace, and forgive others the way You do. 

St. John Francis Regis, pray for us.

Elijah prophesies that terrible things will befall Jezebel and Ahaz. His words are eventually fulfilled, but this offers little comfort to Naboth, who was slain, and his widow. This is the injustice of sin: the innocent suffer most because of our wrongdoing. Let us reject sin so that we do not cause others unnecessary pain.

¹⁷ After the death of Naboth the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite: ¹⁸ “Start down to meet Ahab, king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be in the vineyard of Naboth, of which he has come to take possession. ¹⁹ This is what you shall tell him, ‘The Lord says: After murdering, do you also take possession? For this, the Lord says: In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth, the dogs shall lick up your blood, too.’” ²⁰ Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me out, my enemy?” “Yes,” he answered. “Because you have given yourself up to doing evil in the Lord’s sight, ²¹ I am bringing evil upon you: I will destroy you and will cut off every male in Ahab’s line, whether slave or freeman, in Israel. ²² I will make your house like that of Jeroboam, son of Nebat, and like that of Baasha, son of Ahijah, because of how you have provoked me by leading Israel into sin.” ²³ (Against Jezebel, too, the Lord declared, “The dogs shall devour Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.”) ²⁴ “When one of Ahab’s line dies in the city, dogs will devour him; when one of them dies in the field, the birds of the sky will devour him.” ²⁵ Indeed, no one gave himself up to the doing of evil in the sight of the Lord as did Ahab, urged on by his wife Jezebel. ²⁶ He became completely abominable by following idols, just as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord drove out before the children of Israel. ²⁷ When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh. He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued. ²⁸ Then the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, ²⁹ “Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me? Since he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his time. I will bring the evil upon his house during the reign of his son.”   

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 51:3-4 5-6, 11, 16

R: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

³ Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. ⁴ Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. (R) ⁵ For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always: ⁶ “Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight.” (R) ¹¹ Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt. ¹⁶ Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; then my tongue shall revel in your justice. (R)

Gospel | Matthew 5:43-48

As we reflect on the call to perfection, may we recognize that it is achieved solely by the grace of God. No amount of willpower or self-help books can provide the recipe for holiness. While we may grasp some of its core truths, only God’s grace can sustain us on that path.

Gospel Acclamation

I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.

⁴³ Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ 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. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? ⁴⁸ So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Reflect

“Great holiness consists in carrying out the little duties of each moment.” (St. Josemaria Escriva)

Read the Bible in one year! Read 2 KING 10 - 12 today.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us to love our enemies. This does not mean that we condone their actions. Loving our enemies means doing good for them despite their wrongs—praying for them when they are ill and helping them when they are weak. By doing this, we shift from seeking justice to offering help, transforming our relationships from being bound by anger to being rooted in forgiveness.

While justice is important, forgiveness fosters better relationships and leads to healing. Constant anger and resentment limit our freedom and force us to avoid people, ultimately leaving us at a disadvantage.

Forgiveness, on the other hand, allows us to release our burdens and focus on unloading the heaviness in our heart. It brings a sense of peace and freedom, as we no longer need to avoid anyone. This fosters a harmonious environment.

Forgiveness may be challenging, but it is achievable. Remember, even on the cross, Jesus forgave His persecutors.

On another note, while our enemies and critics may bring out the worst in us, their opinions can sometimes hold truth. By looking beyond their harsh words, we might find insights that can lead to positive changes in our lives, especially if we take the time to reflect on their feedback. 

Fr. Jason Laguerta 

reflection questions

Can you recall a time when you showed kindness to someone who opposed you or treated you badly? How did it impact your relationship?

Father God, please grant us peace within ourselves, within our family, our community, and the world so we may love our enemies and forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.

Today, I pray for: __________________________________________