We have been listening and reading Chapter 5 of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. These are all hard teachings. By human effort would seem impossible to follow, yet with God they are not impossible. With the gifts of the Holy Spirit we can grow in love.
Chapter 5:21-26 talks about anguish towards others and the need for reconciliation.
Chapter 5: 27-30 talks about lust and adultery and sanctifying our senses.
Chapter 5: 31-32 talks about marriage as indissoluble.
Chapter 5: 33-37 talks about the value of our words and the vows, oath, and pledges we make.
Chapter 5: 38-42 talks about retaliation and the need to do the opposite.
Chapter 5: 43-48 talks of how we should treat our enemies and persecutors.
All these teachings are about practicing and living out the Gospel of love which every Christian can now do through the merits of Christ' death and resurrection. We see the fruits of the Holy Spirit working in our lives so we may truly learn HOW TO LOVE. Love isn't just a goody, giddy, mushy feeling that comes and goes. Love is a WAY as exemplified by Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
To the arrogant, it may all seem like stupidity. To the humanist, it may all seem like hypocrisy. One must remember though that there are two forces in this world, that of evil and that of goodness. As we are confronted daily with evil, GOD's GRACE is BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE, so we can be in the CYCLE of LOVE. If we deplore the corruption, war, abortion, and violence in this world, we must say "yes" to the circle of love. We may fail time and again, but it is more to be striven for. Love is its own reward. This is the truest victory... only love can conquer evil.
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