Matthew [5:43-48] Love for Enemies
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Matthew 5,43-48.
Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Copyright © Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, USCCB
Saint Gregory of Narek (c.944-1010)
Armenian monk and poet
Book of prayers, no.74 (SC 78)
"That you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good"
How many are my debts, beyond all counting, yet they are not so amazing as your mercy. Numerous are my sins but yet they are miniscule by comparison with your forgiveness. (...) What could a little darkness do to your divine light? How can a little bit of shadow compete with your rays, who are so great! How could my weak body's earthly desires be weighed in the balance with your Passion and cross? How would the whole world's sins appear before the eyes of your goodness, O Mighty One? Behold they are like (...) a drop of water swallowed up by the outpouring of your plentiful rain. (...) It is you who give sunshine to both evil and good and cause rain to fall on both without distinction. The peacefulness of some is great because they expect their reward; (...) but those who preferred earth you forgive with mercy: and you give them the medicine of life with the first in constant expectation of their turning back to you.