Saint Andrew Russian Greek Catholic Church

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The Gospel read today takes us back to the very first teachings of Jesus Christ, and, in particular, to the Sermon on the Mount in Saint Luke’s abridged version of it, and deals with loving one’s enemies.   Even in the greatest sinner, the most hardened “enemy,” the image of God is still present.  What is important is to know how the ‘image of God’ in me can meet the ‘image of God’ in them.

In the Epistle read today, Saint Paul emphasizes the fact that  we are the temples of the living God. 

What agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”  Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.

And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.  "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.  Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.