Don’t be like the Wicked

Matthew 5:46-48

46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus teaches us love isn’t solely reserved for the ones we like, we need to love those who are not as lovable in our eyes too. If we only love those we like, then we operate exactly how all the world’s wicked people do. We must remind each other that those people whom we detest, are in fact just choosing to love people like themselves.

Today, in these dark and turbulent times, we need to be vigilant of our roles and identities more than ever. We are the children of light, the children of God — Christians. This means we are the followers of Jesus. We love what he loves and do as he would do.

The scripture today reminds us that we are living in a time when people are selfish and thinking only about their own benefits over others’ interests. It is a time when people curse others. It is in these difficult moments that we must not forget our taste of salt, that is our “being”, our role of salt and light. I remember a passage in Psalms 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. At the same time, I also learned a new phrase from the anti extradition law protests 莫忘初心 — never forget your pure heart!

Parishioners of our church, I know it is a defeating moment now. Events occur outside our control and we are sidetracked to take the easy path and give up already. This is the great lie, because the truth is that we can never change what’s outside our control. All we can change is our inner selves. What we can protect, what we can persist is our pure heart.

This is why, friends of BMCC, when you can protect your heart and hold dear and tight the pure love in you, don’t give up on yourself because it feels difficult or insurmountable. It is at the moment you stand strong and with your heart that this vitality within you will make its strongest mark on this world. A mark that will persist and last for generations.

May our Lord bless those who are listening.