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,that you may be children of your heavenly Father,for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?Do not the tax collectors do the same?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.”
REFLECTION
How many questions does Jesus ask in this Gospel passage? He asked four questions here. I did a little research and asked google "How many times does Jesus ask questions in the Bible?" I found that Jesus asked hundreds of questions in the Bible. I also found that he was asked 183 questions in the Gospels, but only directly answered three. (https://www.catholicdigest.com/amp/from-the-magazine/bible-in-5/5-penetrating-question-jesus-asks/)
Through my study in PAPA FACE ZBS, I have learned that Jesus' Words in the Gospels are all very important. His Words in the Gospels are alive. So here in this Gospel passage, it is very important for us to take notice of the questions Jesus is asking us. They are not written to just be rhetorical questions and not noticed.
I think Jesus asked questions to help his disciples to think. Just like he wants us to think. He wants us to learn how to "be perfect, just as your Heavenly Father is perfect."
Our PAPA Family has been learning the art of Critical Thinking from our Spiritual Director, Father Michael. “ We have learned that the quality of our life depends on the quality of our thoughts. Critical Thinking helps us to move from ear to hearing and then from thinking to understanding.”(from notes on Fr. Michael‘s teaching)
Here in this Gospel passage, Jesus is speaking to his disciples. Jesus is teaching them to think. Jesus is also teaching us to think.
PAPA FACE ZBS is a Bible Study like no other I have been a part of, and I have learned so much from Jesus through this study of the Gospels. We are taught by a priest and theologian who guides us on this pilgrimage with Jesus. If you would like to join us, send us an email at PAPA@PAPAMio.org.
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