A child had just come home from school. He came rushing to his mother and started crying. “What happened, anak? Did the bullies tease you again?” Then the child cried even louder and began sobbing. The mother immediately held her son into an embrace. She already knew what happened and did not force him to speak. She just stayed there and waited until her son felt better. “Who do they hurt me, mama? I didn’t do anything to them.” The mother wiped off the tears of her son. Looking at him she said, ” Anak, you know why? Dahil kulang sila sa pagmamahal.”

It is already hard enough to forgive someone who hurt us. How can we even take two steps further by loving them despite the pain they have inflicted on us? In the gospel, we witness the origin of this famous phrase: “love your enemies.” Short and sweet, but hard to swallow. But we see, that’s the thing–following Jesus is never an easy job. We are called to become the salt and light of the earth. And this means to go to the extra mile, to not settle for doing the bare minimum. “For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? … Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.” When we give more than what is expected of us, we no longer settle for being a mere minimal giver like bad people do. We go the extra mile and become true Christians.

Loving someone can’t only be when it’s convenient for us. The sun shines on both the good and the bad people, the rain is sent to both the just and the unjust. “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Remember brothers and sisters that the flesh of love is mercy. After all, we are made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, it is not impossible for us to love our enemy. We are so much capable of loving. But to our human extent, sometimes it does not come easily. So, when it gets hard to show mercy, pray to the one who showed the greatest mercy of all. Look upon the cross where He died for all–without exemptions.

– Blessy

Source: Neo Jeremiah Voice of the Young Prophet Newsletter – February 24, 2019 issue.