Ordinary Time, 7th Sunday (A) Jack saw God in other people, and other people saw God in him. You were made in God's image and likeness. This means you need to act like God and look like God to other people.
The last three weeks, Jesus has been telling us what God looks like. "Turn the other cheek; go the extra mile; love your enemies." He finishes with, "Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." The perfection we are called to is a sense of completeness, loving all people, and loving them completely.
But what about when people hurt us -- we can hurt them back, right? Jesus has a different idea. He calls us to keep loving no matter what. We need to face our fears. And this is what Lent is all about. Be like a kayaker hanging out underwater, learning to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Face your fears and you will learn that you are stronger than hunger, injury, oppression or theft. Your Father will even the score in the end. You just keep loving generously.
(23 Feb 2020)
Going Deeper: Read your way through Matthew 5 as an examination of conscience and an invitation for Lent.