The Lord commands us to avoid evil and to do good. A further stage of holiness is to do good and not be appreciated. Next, we can do good secretly to make sure we are not appreciated (see Mt 6:3-4). The next level is to do good, knowing that we will not only be unappreciated but even rejected for the good we do (see Mt 9:33-34). Finally, the Lord commands us to do good to our enemies, to those who have made a habit of rejecting and hurting us (see Lk 6:27). This is the love of Jesus on the cross and is the greatest expression of love. "It is rare that anyone should lay down his life for a just man, though it is barely possible that for a good man someone may have the courage to die. It is precisely in this that God proves His love for us: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rm 5:7-8).

There are a lot of do-gooders. Yet how many are do-gooders as Jesus is? There are many philanthropists, humanitarians, and nice people. But what the world always needs is not merely lovers of self and lovers of friends (see Mt 5:46-47) but lovers of enemies (Mt 5:44-45). By God's grace, do what is humanly impossible and rare. Be a Christian. "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you" (Lk 6:27).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002