Jesus says: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another." (Jn 13: 34) What is this love? St Paul teaches: "But God proves his love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us." (Rm 5: 8) This teaches us that the authenticity of Christian love is proved by the way in which we love others when they are either our enemies or have sinned. Such love does not require apologies or restitution. In the final analysis it is the way of the Cross. Jesus from the cross prayed: "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Lk 23: 34) It is the love and forgiveness that we have known in Christ Jesus that gives us the ability to love those who do not love us. We can see around the world the endurance of Christians who are being persecuted for the faith. Let us be in solidarity with them as well as praying for those who, for whatever reason, hate us. Then we will be imitating our Lord and inherit the blessings he has promised: "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." (Lk 6: 35-36)
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