By Rev. Erik Esparza
The Word of God will not only comfort us, but will also challenge us. We read such a challenge in the Gospel of Matthew when our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?” (5:43-46)