3/5 Bible Study with Fr. Marvin

Brothers and Sisters,

As we are second week into this year's Lenten season, Fr. Marvin will lead us in this week's study.

Mt 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples:
“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,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers and sisters only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Lk 6:36-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”

How can we be perfect as we are just human beings? How can we be merciful as our heavenly Father? We all know we should love our enemies, not judging, stop condemning, and be forgiving. It is easier to say than done. Is love itself enough to get us going? As St. Paul said, "faith, hope, and love, and the love is the most important". But how? How can we be loving as our Father?

in Christ,
Dan