REFLECTIONS TODAY

The Jews strive to observe the Law given by God to Moses, and they religiously pass this practice from one generation to the next. Jesus was brought up in this tradition and is observant of the Law, like praying to God, observing the Sabbath, and especially the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. But Jesus does not stop in the observance of the Law; he perfects it. While the Jews are called to love their neighbors, that is, their fellow Jews, Jesus teaches his disciples to go beyond by loving all—the non-Jews and even their enemies who persecute them. He points to the example of the heavenly Father who manifests his “perfection” by loving everyone as his son or daughter, be he or she righteous or not. As children of our Father in heaven, we are all called to imitate this “perfection” of God, which is not static but is in the process of becoming. How grateful are we to have Jesus as our model in following the ways of our Father in heaven? How do we respond to the daily challenges of becoming more loving in our workplace, our family, and community? How do we inspire others, especially the younger generation, to be more welcoming even to people who are outside their circle?

FIRST READING • 2 Cor 8:1-9

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, of the grace of God that has been given to the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their profound poverty overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For according to their means, I can testify, and beyond their means, spontaneously, they begged us insistently for the favor of taking part in the service to the holy ones, and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us through the will of God, so that we urged Titus that, as he had already begun, he should also complete for you this gracious act also. Now as you excel in every respect, in faith, discourse, knowledge, all earnestness, and in the love we have for you, may you excel in this gracious act also. I say this not by way of command, but to test the genuineness of your love by your concern for others. For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. *Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).*