Saturday, March 03, 2007

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies,
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Matthew 5:43-48

Prayer

Dear Father you tell us to love everyone not just those we feel a bond with but with all. Help us to love this way in faith that when we love we love in perfect harmony of your Holy Will. Teach us dear Father to give our all and do our all with the thought of doing it perfectly for your Glory. For you are perfect and desire us to be as perfect as possible. To love everyone as you love us. Amen

2 comments:

Chris Dickson, F.L.A. said...

I always wondered in this passage how anyone on earth can become perfect, but after studying St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Bernard of Clairvoux, I have come to realize it is possible...I'm just not there yet...

Marie Cecile said...

Chris, i'm not there yet either.