Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent
Deu 26:16-19
Mt 5:43-48
“…pray for those who persecute you…”
In today’s gospel, Jesus is asking us to not just love our neighbour, but to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. What does the rest of the world think or say? Probably that we are crazy. We have often been brought up and learnt to love only those who love us, and to hate our enemy. Hence the grudges, often wanting to hurt those who hurt us. An eye for an eye, tooth for tooth. Getting even is a form of justice. But Jesus is telling us to “do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly. To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too”. (Luke 6:27-28) Who can do that?
Following Jesus is far from, or rather the opposite of, everything we’ve learnt. Basically, we need to unlearn and practice God’s ways, which is to put God in the picture of everything and if we love God, we have to love everybody regardless of race, language, beliefs, and values. Jesus’ commandments sound simple enough. But what he’s not saying is that we are to also love those ‘neighbours’ who hurt us. If you ask me, it’s so hard to be a good Christian. I remember this one student of mine who was extremely rude and disrespectful. Not only did he not pay attention in class, he disrespected me by talking and what’s more, he would also even put me down and give snide remarks when I questioned him. I tried so hard not to get upset or even angry. Imagine a whole semester of tolerating him. Then one day, I remembered to ‘pray for our enemies’. You know what? Soon after, I felt a slight ‘improvement’. The amazing thing about praying for these people is not so much that they will change for the better, but more for me to accept what I can’t change and find peace so that I can see them differently (and hopefully in a less judgmental way). As a good Catholic, I told myself that I must not react to his ‘nonsense’ but continue to show patience and treat him no differently. If he’s unable to accept my goodness, kindness, patience or care, then it’s not my loss. I will also go back to asking “What Would Jesus Do” (WWJD) in my situation? He would never over-react for sure. He’s cool (and calm) as a cucumber.
To go beyond not reacting and making an extra effort of praying for our ‘enemy’ is really quite radical, if you ask me. In fact, Jesus was a radical himself. He ate with many tax collectors and sinners, He befriended adulterous women and chose to heal the sick on the Sabbath. He constantly did things that were frowned upon. But if you truly understand Jesus, you’ll know where he’s coming from. What he’s more concerned with is forgiving sins and healing the sick – physically, mentally and spiritually. Only when we can understand Jesus’ ways, can we be an exceptional or radical Christian.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Cynthia Chew)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to be patient, to love our enemies, to see things your way and to have the courage to do what’s often against what we’ve been taught and learnt. We want to be more like you. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Jesus, for forgiving us our sins, especially the times when we want to hurt back and above all, thank you for loving us no matter what.
OXYGEN 
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