Matthew 5:44
Perfected in Love
What is perfection of love? To love even our enemies and to love them so that they might become fellow Christians. For love shouldn’t be fleshly. To wish people temporal, physical wellbeing is good. But when this fails, hope that their souls are safe.
Do you wish life for your friend? You do well. Do you rejoice at you enemy’s death? You do evil. However, even the life you wish for your friends may not be good for them. And the death of your enemies you rejoice over may have been for the good of them.
It is uncertain whether this present life will be profitable of unprofitable for someone, but, without doubt, life with God is profitable. So love your enemies by wishing that they become Christians. Love your enemies so that they might fellowship with you.
For Christ loved this way and, while hanging on the cross, said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He didn’t say, “Father, let them live long. Even though they kill Me, let them live.” He was taking eternal death from them by His merciful prayer and by His supreme strength.
Therefore, if you have learned to pray for your enemy, you walk in the way of the Lord.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
Perfected in Love
What is perfection of love? To love even our enemies and to love them so that they might become fellow Christians. For love shouldn’t be fleshly. To wish people temporal, physical wellbeing is good. But when this fails, hope that their souls are safe.
Do you wish life for your friend? You do well. Do you rejoice at you enemy’s death? You do evil. However, even the life you wish for your friends may not be good for them. And the death of your enemies you rejoice over may have been for the good of them.
It is uncertain whether this present life will be profitable of unprofitable for someone, but, without doubt, life with God is profitable. So love your enemies by wishing that they become Christians. Love your enemies so that they might fellowship with you.
For Christ loved this way and, while hanging on the cross, said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He didn’t say, “Father, let them live long. Even though they kill Me, let them live.” He was taking eternal death from them by His merciful prayer and by His supreme strength.
Therefore, if you have learned to pray for your enemy, you walk in the way of the Lord.
Readings taken from Day by Day with the Early Church Fathers
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