Catholic Faith demands that we love others because
of God's love for us, and His love which is in us,
from which our actions should flow.
So we are called to love those that might not be lovable
in the strictly human sense, and to love those who
treat us badly. To forgive, and not to seek revenge.
To love people that we do not feel a natural instinct to
love, who do not attract us, that we do not "get anything
out of " for ourselves, but because we are agents of
God's love which goes beyond our human nature.
Our humanity does not disappear, rather this supernatural
love is on top of our human nature, it is on a higher level,
but it develops from it, and it could not exist seperately.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth
for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the
other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take
your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you
to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who
asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to
borrow from you.
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your
Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and
the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?
Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet
only your own people, what are you doing more than others?
Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your
heavenly Father is perfect."
(Matthew 5; 38-48)
This is what is expected of us. The bar is high.
To be serious about our faith demands a high
level of awareness and willingsness, to really
want to follow Jesus all the way, to obey his
commandements, in the details of our daily mundane
lives, is work.
But it also transforms the mundane, it makes us enter
into the spiritual battle that we are supposed to
engage with.
Declared practising Catholics are soldiers for Christ,
participating in a war between good and evil is never
ordinary or boring!
The spiritual training implied for this level of difficulty
in really loving someone who is not loving, brings us
to understand the necessity of truly loving, because
a dry dutiful act of kindness, due to obligation,
does not suffice. Most people can distinguish between
that (salt that has lost it's saltiness) and true love.
Acts that are carrying out duties, ticking boxes, are
nothing special.
Human nature alone can not understand the wisdom
and the necessity for this.
But the goal and the aim of our Catholic Church is our
own sanctification and that of others.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger
and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted
because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute
you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you
because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great
is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its
saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no
longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and
trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill
cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and
put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand,
and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that
they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in
heaven."
Matthew 5: 3-16
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