Loving Enemies as God Does – Jun 17 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jun 17, 2025, on how St. Paul urges the Corinthians to give generously, imitating Christ’s poverty and God’s love for all, including enemies.

Father reflects on St. Paul’s message to the Corinthians, urging them to contribute to a collection for Jewish Christians in the Holy Land, as described in 2 Corinthians 8:9, where Paul highlights Christ’s sacrifice: "For your sake He became poor, although He was rich, so that by His poverty you might become rich." He draws on the generosity of the Macedonian Churches, who gave sacrificially despite their own struggles, as an example for the Corinthians. Father emphasizes that Christians should imitate Christ, who, as Philippians 2:6-7 states, "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant." This call to sacrificial giving aligns with the command to love one’s neighbor, clarified by Jesus in Matthew 5:44 to include loving enemies, as God provides for both the good and the wicked. Father explains that loving enemies involves praying for their conversion, as supported by Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 1933, which calls for charity toward all. By quoting Proverbs 25:21-22, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him," Father underscores how acts of kindness can lead to repentance. He concludes with St. Gregory of Nazianzus, encouraging believers to emulate Christ’s self-emptying love, striving to live as worthy sons of the Father, as urged in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, through prayer and sacrifice for all, especially the household of faith.

For Further Reading

2 Corinthians 8:9 - NAB - Christ’s poverty enriches us - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2corinthians/8?9
Philippians 2:6-7 - NAB - Christ’s self-emptying servitude - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/philippians/2?6
Matthew 5:44 - NAB - Love your enemies - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/5?44
Proverbs 25:21-22 - NAB - Kindness to enemies - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/proverbs/25?21
1 Timothy 2:1-2 - NAB - Prayers for all - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/2?1
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1933 - Neighborly charity -  http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c2a3.htm#1933
Catechism of the Catholic Church #1825 - Christ’s love for all - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#1825
Catechism of the Catholic Church #2447 - Works of mercy - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm#2446
Catholic Answers - God’s Love for You - Biblical basis for love - https://www.catholic.com/tract/gods-love-for-you
Franciscan Media - St. Francis of Assisi - Profile of St. Francis - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-francis-of-assisi

00:00 – Opening Prayer
00:10 – St. Paul’s Collection
00:57 – Macedonian Generosity
01:29 – Christ’s Poverty
02:21 – Christ’s Humility
03:34 – Loving Neighbors
04:54 – Loving Enemies
07:24 – Closing Reflection

Ave Maria!

Mass: Tuesday 11th Week of Ordinary Time - Wkdy
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061725.cfm
1st: 2co 8:1-9
Resp: psa 146:2, 5-9
Gsp: mat 5:43-48

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1420

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