Fr. Matthias Shehad explores the commandment from Matthew 5:44 to love your enemies, explaining why this is a distinctive and challenging call for Christians. He discusses the types of love that do not lead to heavenly reward, including loving only those who love us, claiming to love God while hating others, and professing love without obedience to God’s commandments.
Fr. Matthias clarifies common misconceptions about loving enemies, emphasizing that it is not based on feelings but on actions like not returning evil for evil, serving those in need, and praying for those who harm us. He highlights the spiritual benefits of loving enemies, such as becoming like God, receiving divine rewards like peace and forgiveness, and freeing ourselves from emotional trauma.
Drawing from Scripture, Fr. Matthias encourages embracing this commandment as a means to grow in holiness and experience true freedom through forgiveness and love, even when it seems difficult or impractical.
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