＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

2 Corinthians 8:1-9

 Now I want you to know

About a gift of divine grace among the Churches of Macedonia. While they were so afflicted and persecuted, their joy overflowed and their extreme poverty turned into a wealth of gen­erosity. According to their means—even beyond their means—they wanted to share in helping the saints.

They asked us for this favor spontaneously and with much insistence and, far beyond anything we expected, they put themselves at the disposal of the Lord and of us by the will of God. Accordingly, I urged Titus to complete among you this work of grace since he began it with you. You excel in everything: in the gifts of faith, speech and knowledge; you feel concern for every cause and, besides, you are first in my heart. Excel also in this generous service.

This is not a command; I make known to you the de­termination of others to check the sincerity of your fraternal concern. You know well the generosity of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Although he was rich, he made himself poor to make you rich through his poverty.

 

Ps 146:2, 5-6ab, 6c-7, 8-9a

Praise the Lord, my soul!

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Matthew 5:43-48

 You have heard that it was said: Love your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy.   But this I tell you: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute 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.

 

Gospel Reflection：

The most difficult thing to do in following the Lord is the commandment to love. This is not just a mushy feeling of tenderness but an informed decision to continuously desire the good of the other. One need not be friends in order to love others.

One needs only to be sensitive to the God image shining on the other and honoring that divine icon breaking through with your positive regard of the other. This requires a lot of spiritual strength. That’s why only the spiritually evolved can do this. The martyr saints for example are joyful amidst the persecution of their fellow humans.

They are even forgiving and tender towardsthem. It is because they have found and understood the way to live that Jesus preaches during His ministry.