you, so that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both
the wicked and the good; and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust. If you love those
who love you, what is special about that? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if
you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the
pagans do as much? As for you, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Reflect

“Love your enemies.” All of us will pray for the wellbeing of our loved ones. But whether we
admit it or not, not all of us will wish our enemies well. Humanly speaking, to pray for the
good of one’s enemy is extremely difficult. But the mandate remains clear: “love your
enemies; and pray for those who persecute you.” (Mt. 5:44) Why should we do this?
Jesus challenges us to love our enemies so that we will become the children of the
heavenly Father who “makes his sun rise on both the wicked and the good; and he gives
rain to both the just and the unjust.” (Mt. 5:45) Does this mean that we are going to passively
accept the evil things which our enemies inflict on us? No. It is also part of our sacred duty
that while desiring and striving to become God’s children, we also desire that our enemies
will also become God’s children too in the process. To pray for the wellbeing of our enemies
is only the first step. To help them change is a further step toward our call to build up God’s
family. In our responses to this particular call, our ego and hurts are dissolved.

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