Tuesday 19 June 2018
1 Kings 21:17-29. Psalm 50(51):3-6, 11, 16. Matthew 5:43-48.
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned—Psalm 50(51):3-6, 11, 16.
‘He has humbled himself before me.’
A lack of forgiveness towards someone constricts the flow of our love towards God. When Jesus makes the love of him and the love of others – even our enemies – inseparable, he is not uttering a threat, nor offering a bribe to induce us to love our neighbour.
He is simply stating a fact.
To love one’s enemies does not equate necessarily with liking them or what they do. Such love points to a deeper insight into why people act the way they do. Jesus’ words from the cross, ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do,’ capture the essence of this love.
It is an acceptance that we are all sinners who are unconditionally loved by God.
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