Loving your enemies

You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say this 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 causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and wicked alike. For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do as much? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Matthew 5:43-47

The Gospel readings the past few days have been from the Sermon on the Mount which is full of instructions that go against what you would usually expect. Today's reading is no exception. I can handle praying for my enemies. Loving them is something I still need to work on. That is the beauty of the Gospel message, though - there is always room for us to improve!