Jesus continues to teach what it means to be His disciples and live according to the love of God’s mercy.  He now gives some pointers for incorporating the love He speaks of into our lives.

This love must have no boundaries.  “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”  Anything less than this is unworthy of a disciple of Christ because “even the sinners love those who love them.”  To extend our love this far requires us to show mercy.  “Forgive and you will be forgiven.”  Our refusal to forgive will not only prevent us from loving our enemies but will also prevent us from receiving the mercy God wants to extend to us.

To love and forgive all people demands that we see something of the sacredness in every other person.  Judging others will always obstruct that view, a point Jesus makes using some humor.  “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?”  Recognizing the absurdity of this situation requires humility.  This is the ability to see ourselves as we truly are, in all our ridiculous glory.  Humility will inevitably lead us to compassionate action.  By incorporating these loving actions and attitudes into our lives, we become like the house built on a strong foundation.  Our behavior reveals whether we really are disciples of Jesus.  Those who put Jesus’ teaching into practice build their life on Him as a foundation.  With Him as our foundation, we will withstand every storm and stand the test of eternity.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell