Looking for God

How can we be more like God?

'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, 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-48

Today's Gospel is not about loving our enemies.  It is about striving to be like God, who is perfect.

God cares about everyone, not just those who are good.  Can we do that? Would we even want to?

It makes sense that God would do it.  We were all created in God's image, so deep down inside each of us is the essence of God.  We may not be able to see it in everyone, but it is there, and God can see it.  God knows it and God is it.  So it is only natural that God would appeal to that part of us that is God.

Jesus' message is simple.  Seek God in everyone and love them the way you love God.

So, as we begin to prepare ourselves for our Lenten sacrifice, perhaps we can start by looking for God in everyone we meet, good and bad.

It will be easier to find God i some than in others, but we shouldn't stop trying when it is difficult.  We might just discover that God has something unexpected to learn in those who are good at hiding God from others.

They may be more afraid to find God than we are.

More to come...