Gospel: Matthew 5: 20-26
It is a temptation of every human heart to find people to exclude from the commandment to love our neighbor. Some would confine this rule to citizens of one's own country, thereby excluding foreigners and aliens. Others would limit this love to those who deserve it, i.e. those like them or those they get on with. Such was true as much in Jesus' days as it is in our own times.
However, the entire Gospel is one long teaching on the fact that loving one's neighbor admits of no exceptions. In word and deed, Jesus taught this very truth. He ate meals with people and healed people from all backgrounds, all walks of life, all races, creeds, genders, and sinners of all types. He forgave all those who did him harm - his betrayer, his denier, his abandoners, his executioners, everyone - even when they did not seek forgiveness.
To be a follower of the Lord Jesus is to strive for this love each and every day. It is to attempt to create communities where this love is encouraged and practiced - looking for the beam in our eye and not the mote in our neighbor's, running out to be reconciled with our neighbor and not looking to excommunicate or exclude them from communion, offering bread and fish and not stones and serpents to a world hungry for love and compassion.
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