Homily for Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Our Gospel passage today reveals Jesus' call to radical mercy and love, contrasting worldly responses with His revolutionary teachings in the "Sermon on the Plain."

He challenges us, His followers, to love our enemies. This is not a natural inclination for most people and requires extraordinary grace from God, along with a conscious decision to avoid engaging in cycles of violence and negativity. The Golden Rule—treating others as we wish to be treated—is central to this calling. We must exercise compassion, just as God is compassionate towards the ungrateful and wicked. Moreover, we must maintain a strong faith that our generous acts will one day be rewarded, as we give freely without expecting anything in return.

Our goal is to emulate God's merciful nature and become children of the Most High by striving to love as God loves. This approach allows us to transcend mere reciprocal relationships and embody divine mercy for all.