In today’s readings, God helps us to understand our relationship with him. Our identity is something that develops throughout our lives as we come to the knowledge, the appreciation, and the lived experience of the truth that we are sons and daughters of God.
In the first reading, Saint Paul tells us that we are “God’s chosen ones—holy and beloved.” My brothers and sisters, our Christian life flows from this identity, not from effort alone. It’s not simply about doing great and good things. Our first and primary work of virtue is to build a relationship with God. Once that relationship is alive in us, it shapes and transforms the way we carry out all those good works that his grace has already prepared for us.
Saint John Chrysostom reminds us that it is not so much what we do that makes us saints, but who we are in Christ. We are loved first, and that love empowers us to live differently.
Saint Paul, in today’s reading from Colossians, speaks of "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience"—essentially the virtues. Yet, in our times, we often skip over the language of virtue and rush instead into the language of rights. Too often, instead of asking, “How can I help my neighbour?” the question becomes, “How can I advance my own cause?” We live in a culture that constantly turns inward—“It’s all about me.”
But we are called back to the language of virtue: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, forgiveness. As Saint Augustine once wrote, “You must be clothed with love as with a garment, for love covers a multitude of sins.” And Saint Francis de Sales, known for his gentleness, taught: “Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing so gentle as real strength.” True strength lies in being courteous, kind, and helpful to those who need us.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us to love our enemies. This is where patience, humility, and forgiveness are most tested. “Love your enemies. Do good. Bless. Pray.” As Saint Thomas Aquinas said, To love one’s enemy is the summit of Christian perfection.
We saw this lived out in our own times through Saint John Paul II. After being shot, he forgave his would-be assassin. He extended a hand of mercy to the man who had tried to kill him—someone likely manipulated, even coerced, into doing what he did. That mercy opened the way for God’s grace to work in the assassin’s heart.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux also reminds us: “True charity consists in bearing all our neighbour’s defects, not being surprised at their weakness, but edified by the smallest virtues.” What a beautiful way to love—to acknowledge even the little good that someone is doing, despite their struggles and difficulties.
Jesus also gives us the Golden Rule in today’s Gospel: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." Saint John Vianney once said, "We do not love God if we do not love our neighbour." They are two loves that cannot be separated. And our Lord continues: “The measure you give will be measured back to you.” Saint Catherine of Siena puts it very simply: “The measure of love is to love without measure.”
My brothers and sisters, let us ask the Lord for the spirit of love so that we too may love as he loves—giving our all to those around us. And let us turn to the intercession of the Blessed Mother, who gave us Christ and raised him in love so that he could guide us and save us.
May God bless you this day.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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