Saturday of the 1st week of Lent
Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48In today’s Gospel, Jesus leads us to the summit of Christian love: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” This command surpasses natural affection and calls us into the very heart of the Father, who lets His sun rise on the good and the bad alike. Lent becomes concrete when love moves beyond preference and comfort, when it is practiced precisely where resistance and hurt exist. To love only those who love us requires little transformation; to love an enemy requires grace. By choosing forgiveness, prayer, and goodwill toward those who oppose or wound us, we begin to resemble our heavenly Father. Christian love is not sentiment, but decision, an imitation of divine mercy. In this way, Lent forms us into children who reflect the boundless and impartial love of God. Let’s reflect: Lent is choosing to practice Christ-like love by loving even our enemies and reflecting the boundless mercy of our heavenly Father.
Don Giorgio