The commands that Jesus gives us in this Gospel seem unrealistic. Out of love for the Lord, one might try to tolerate someone who has done him a grave injustice, But love him? No. That’s going too far. No one can do that.
Really? Read the Gospel account of Christ on the cross. Didn’t he pray for those who put him there: “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” Our desire to know and love God can only be satisfied by the ideal of holiness Jesus has given us.
Christian charity has no limits. We must love all people, even those who do not love us, even those who hate us. To pray means we must be ready to open our hearts to all. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver is from evil.”
Resolve: I shall ask Jesus to teach me more concretely the words he gave us in the Our Father. And, in a spirit of thanksgiving, I shall ask him to share his teaching with more people.