Transforming Hearts Through Forgiveness

March 15, 2025 Saturday of the First Week of Lent
Daily Readings: Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Matthew 5:43-48

Jesus sums up the Ten Commandments into one powerful command: love—love for God and love for neighbor. But true love for God is proven through love for others. As St. John reminds us, “Whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20).

Jesus takes this commandment even further, calling us to the most challenging form of love: love for our enemies (Mt 5:44). This may seem unreasonable—perhaps even a sign of weakness—but love is the key to reconciliation and peace. Hatred only prolongs conflict, while love breaks down walls. As St. John of the Cross wisely says, "Where there is no love, put love, and you will draw out love."

Why must we love our enemies? First, because Jesus commands it, and He lived it fully culminating in His sacrifice on the cross: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13). Second, our love becomes inclusive, reflecting the Father who gives sunlight and rain to both good and bad alike. In loving all, we truly become God’s children. Finally, love makes us instruments of peace, fulfilling Jesus’ promise: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Mt 5:9).

Human love must remain under the custody of Divine Love—its source, its reflection, and its fulfillment. Loving our enemies does not mean we have to like them or be close friends. Love is shown in forgiveness, respect, and understanding. The most powerful way to love? Prayer. Jesus prayed for His persecutors: “Father, forgive them” (Lk 23:34).

Call to Action for Catholic Living: As St. Augustine teaches, love sees not what people are, but what they can become through God’s grace. Let us love as Jesus loves—healing, forgiving, and transforming hearts.