MATHEW 5:43-48
At that time:Jesus said to his disciples, "you have heard that it was said, 'you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. 'But I say to you, love your neighbour and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your father who is in heaven, for he makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good And sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you,what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do same?and if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? So not even the Gentiles do same? You, therefore must be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect".
REFLECTION...
Jesus revisits and revises the commandments given by Moses that constitute the essential tenets of the Jew's. He would state a case and then give his directive, for instance he says "you have heard that it was said :love your enemy ;but I tell you love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you".According to Jesus, living the life of love is a testimony that one belongs to the father in heaven whose sun rises on both the wicked and the good. Of course, Jesus' listeners will be awed about his teaching, but will be difficult for them to deny the truth he gives. His teachings becomes a departure from their conception of what is virtuous. Virtue consists in the ability to overlook issues of disagreement and the willingness to forgive and love. This is a new teaching different from what the law and prophets taught. By this Jesus has outlined the basis for the new people of God.
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