Today Jesus reminds us that His disciple must be different, must stand out in this world. You and I must be different; we should be opposed to the self-centered principles of this world. It is extremally difficult, but this is what Jesus wants from us. “Jesus 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.’” Today our world pretty much follows the principles of the Old Testament -- an ‘eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’. So many people look for ways of revenge; that’s why there are wars, hatred, and killing. But we must be different, you and I must be different, we need to stand out. We no longer live in the Old Testament, but we are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ who showed us how to love enemies and how to pray for those who persecuted Him. We are no longer pagans, but we are children of God. We must spread the word of Christ not only to those who love us, not only to our relatives and friends, but even yo our enemies. “And if you greet your brothers and sisters only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."
