TUESDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mt 5:43-48) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:44-45)

FIRST READING - 8:1-9

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God

that has been given to the churches of Macedonia,

for in a severe test of affliction,

the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty

overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

For according to their means, I can testify,

and beyond their means, spontaneously,

they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part

in the service to the holy ones,

and this, not as we expected,

but they gave themselves first to the Lord

and to us through the will of God,

so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun,

he should also complete for you this gracious act also.

Now as you excel in every respect,

in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness,

and in the love we have for you,

may you excel in this gracious act also.

I say this not by way of command,

but to test the genuineness of your love

by your concern for others.

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ,

that for your sake he became poor although he was rich,

so that by his poverty you might become rich.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - 5:43-48

From the Gospel according to Matthew

Jesus said to his disciples:

"You have heard that it was said,

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

But I say to you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

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.

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

Do not the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brothers only,

what is unusual about that?

Do not the pagans do the same?

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

TUESDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - Gospel (Mt 5:43-48)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

Today’s Word of God invites everyone to live and practice two important things:

• Live according to your identity as children of God the Father.

• Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.

There are two places in this world: Heaven is the place of eternal happiness, where God the Father reigns. The earth is where the creatures God created live, with human beings as the highest of all. Both heaven and earth are places where God the Father is always present and reigns. And the greatest joy for humanity is that God the Father dwells and reigns in souls that live in purity, holiness, and love.

Therefore, God calls all His children to love their enemies and pray for those who hate or harm them. This is what God the Father asks of all who want to become His true children: to live according to His teachings. Do not live by the ways of the world, driven by revenge and retaliation. Only God gives the Law to humanity, and only He has the right to judge. He always rewards and punishes with perfect justice.

God the Father holds all authority over everything He has created. And out of His immense love for mankind, He created humans in His image and gave them the opportunity to become His children, sharing in His divine nature. Yet, there are still those who betray and oppose Him. But because God's very nature is love and compassion, He always forgives and shows boundless mercy, pouring out countless graces upon all people on earth: “He makes His sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” He gives all creatures the same blessings—air, breath, light, and all that sustains life.

Now, He calls all His children:

• To look to the image of His Only Begotten Son—the Son of love; and imitate Him, learning how to live with forgiveness, love, and generosity.

• Not to be jealous, hateful, or arrogant, because everything we have comes from God, not from ourselves.

• To live with meekness and humility, so that our hearts may become tolerant, forgiving, and loving—even toward those who hate or persecute us.

Living this way is deeply pleasing to God the Father. It is what He desires and invites each of us to do. Let us walk and live according to these teachings to become perfect, good, and holy—just as God the Father is holy.

Those who live as He teaches will be rewarded in heaven, enjoying the happiness of the Kingdom of Heaven. Their sacrifices and efforts, made out of love for God the Father and for others, will truly be worthwhile.

Thanks be to God. Amen.