Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 15, 2025

Saturday of the 1st Week of Lent

Scripture Text: 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 and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

In the gospel reading for today, an excerpt from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jesus exhorts us to love one another, to love all our sisters and brothers regardless of their treatment of us, to love even those who hate us.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How loving am I of others?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You created all humanity, You are the source of all being. You command that we love one another because of our love for You. You desire that we all have life with You, life in abundance. You sent your only-begotten Son to us as our brother, to take on our human nature, to teach us your ways, to reveal your love for us, and to selflessly give Himself as expiation for our sins. Send your Spirit to tenderize our selfish and stubborn hearts, to open us more wholly and more perfectly to your transformative love, and to guide us in our treatment of one another for love of You. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.