LOVING THOSE WHO HURT YOU
“Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” –Leviticus 19:18 Mass Readings: February 19 First: Ezekiel 18:21-28;Resp: Psalm 130:1-8;Gospel: Matthew 5:20-26 Jesus was asked: “Teacher, which commandment of the law is the greatest?” (Mt 22:36) Jesus surprised His questioner by mentioning not one commandment but two. He surprised all of Judaism by maintaining that loving one’s neighbor as oneself is the second commandment, and together with the first commandment forms the basis of the law and the prophets (Mt 22:40). The Biblical context for the second...