2 Cor 8:1-9 / Matthew 5:43-48
Many things seem to be possible in theory.
Putting theory on paper is neat and tidy.
But that also means that there may be other practical issues that are not considered.
To talk about love is like putting theory on paper.
But to put love into practice is challenging because people are going to be involved.
In the gospel, when Jesus talked about loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us, we already know it is very difficult.
And when we face our enemies and those who persecute us, we would rather turn away in resentment or anger.
Even for those whom we love, there are limits to how much we can love them.
But in the 1st reading, St. Paul praised God for the grace given to the churches in Macedonia.
They experienced great trials and sufferings, but their constant cheerfulness and their intense poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity.
They expressed their love for the other churches by giving far more than they can afford, and they gave spontaneously.
Truly it was by the grace of God that they can love so generously.
Let us pray for the grace of God to love more than others love us.
And with the grace of God, we can face the challenge of loving our enemies and those who persecute us.