Homily on Love of Enemies (10.7.2025)

 Homily on Love of Enemies (10.7.2025)

Today, the Word of God places before us one of the most challenging, yet ultimately most transformative, commands of our faith: the love of our enemies. It is a concept that goes against every natural human instinct, every impulse for retaliation, and every desire for justice in its most basic form. Yet, it is at the very heart of who we are called to be as followers of Christ.

 

The first reading from the Romans (5:6-11) lays the theological groundwork for this profound love; Paul reminds us of an astonishing truth: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” God did not wait for us to be perfect or even good. He did not wait for us to be His friends. He loved us when we were still His enemies, still caught in the grip of sin, still alienated from Him.

 

Paul goes on to say, “Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” This is the radical, unconditional love of God. It is a love that does not measure worthiness, but pours itself out freely, even unto death, for those who are undeserving. If God, in His infinite mercy, loved us when we were His enemies, how can we, who are made in His image, do any less for our fellow human beings, even those who may cause us pain or offense?

 

This divine love, revealed on the Cross, is the wellspring from which our capacity to love our enemies must flow. It is not a human effort alone, but a participation in the very life of God.

 

It is precisely this participation that Jesus calls us to in our Gospel reading from Matthew (5:43-48). He confronts the conventional wisdom of His time, which permitted loving one’s neighbour and hating one’s enemy. He shatters this comfortable dichotomy with a revolutionary command: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”

 

Jesus calls us to imitate the boundless, indiscriminate love of our Heavenly Father. God’s sun shines on everyone; His rain falls on everyone. He does not withhold His blessings from those who reject Him or oppose Him. He continues to offer life and sustenance to all, in the hope of their conversion and reconciliation.

 

This is not a call to weakness or to condone evil. To love our enemies does not mean we approve of their actions or ignore injustice. On the contrary, it is a call to radical strength, to a spiritual discipline that transcends our natural inclinations. It means praying for them, not for their downfall, but for their conversion, for their healing, for their encounter with the transformative love of God. It means seeking their good, even when they seek our harm. It means extending compassion, even when we feel hurt or betrayed.

 

Why this difficult command? Jesus gives us the answer: “so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Our love for our enemies is the very hallmark of our divine filiation. It is how the world will know that we belong to God, for we are reflecting His very nature. If we only love those who love us, Jesus asks, “What reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Even those outside the faith can show kindness to their friends. But to love those who are hostile to us – that is supernatural. That is divine.

 

Dear brothers, this journey of loving our enemies is not an easy one; it requires profound humility, immense courage, and a constant reliance on God’s grace. It means letting go of the need for revenge, surrendering our desire to be right, and opening our hearts to the possibility of reconciliation, even when it seems impossible.

 

Perhaps there are people in our lives right now who fit the description of an “enemy” – someone who has hurt us, betrayed us, or caused us pain. Let us bring them before the Lord in prayer. Let us ask for the grace to see them not through the lens of our hurt, but through the eyes of Christ, who died for them even in their sinfulness. Let us pray for their conversion, for their peace, and for our own hearts to be softened, liberated from bitterness and resentment.

 

The love of enemies is not a weakness; it is the ultimate strength. It is the power that breaks cycles of hatred, the force that brings about true peace, and the most eloquent testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. May we, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother and all the saints, strive daily to live this radical love, for in doing so we truly become children of our Father in heaven! Amen.

My brothers, today’s Gospel asks us to do something incredibly hard: love our enemies. This goes against our natural urge to get even or seek revenge. But it’s central to what it means to follow Jesus.

God’s Unconditional Love: The letter to the Romans (5:6-11) reminds us that God loved us when we were still His enemies (in sin). Christ died for us while we were still lost in sin. Most people wouldn’t die for a good person, let alone someone who’s against them. But God did exactly that. This is God’s radical, no-strings-attached love. If God loved us when we were undeserving, how can we do any less for others, even those who hurt us? This divine love from the Cross is what enables us to love our enemies. It’s not just our own effort, but sharing in God’s life.

Jesus’ Challenging Command: Jesus challenges the old idea of loving your neighbour but hating your enemy. In Matthew (5:43-48), He commands us: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Why? So we can truly be children of God. God makes the sun shine and rain fall on everyone, good or bad. He gives His blessings to all, hoping they’ll change and find Him.

Strength, Not Weakness: Loving our enemies isn’t about being weak or ignoring wrongdoings. It’s actually a sign of great spiritual strength. It means praying for them, not for their harm, but for their change of heart and healing. It means wanting good for them, even if they wish us ill.

Why is this so important? Jesus says it’s how we show we belong to God. If we only love those who love us back, we’re no different from anyone else. But loving those who are against us? That’s divine.

A Difficult but Rewarding Path: This journey of loving our enemies is tough. It needs humility, courage, and God’s grace. We have to let go of revenge, our need to be right, and open our hearts to reconciliation, even when it seems impossible.

 

Think about anyone in your life who feels like an “enemy” – someone who has hurt you. Let’s pray for them. Ask God to help us see them through Christ’s eyes, who died for them. Let’s pray for their transformation and for our own hearts to be freed from bitterness.

 

Loving our enemies is not a weakness; it’s the ultimate strength. It breaks cycles of hate and brings true peace. It’s the most powerful way to show the Gospel’s impact. May we strive daily to live this radical love, and in doing so, truly become children of our Father in heaven. Amen.

 

My dear brothers, as you continue your journey toward the priesthood, today’s reflections on Romans 5:6-11 and Matthew 5:43-48 offer a profound challenge and a vital cornerstone for your future ministry: the love of enemies.

You are called to be shepherds, men who reflect the very heart of Christ. Jesus’ command to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” is not a suggestion; it’s a divine imperative. It’s the hallmark of true discipleship, distinguishing us as children of our Heavenly Father who “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good.” This isn’t weakness, but supernatural strength—strength rooted in profound humility and courageous surrender to God’s will.

 

As you prepare to serve, you will encounter diverse hearts and complex situations. There will be moments when you face criticism, opposition, or even outright hostility. Remember that to love your ‘enemies’ means to pray for them, to seek their good, and to extend compassion even when it’s difficult. It means breaking cycles of hatred and offering the transformative power of God’s mercy.

 

Let this challenging truth sink deep into your hearts. Cultivate the courage to let go of resentment, the humility to forgive, and the grace to see everyone—even those who oppose you—through the eyes of Christ. This radical love, which is purely divine, will be your most powerful witness and the truest sign that you are indeed children of our Father in heaven.

Embrace this calling with joyful hearts, knowing that in loving as Christ loved, you will truly become the priests God intends you to be.