The Mark of a True Disciple

It’s easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. It’s natural to love our friends and family. But what about those who hurt us? The ones who gossip about us, betray us, or make life difficult?

Jesus doesn’t just ask us to tolerate them, He commands us to love them. Not just to forgive, but to love. That’s the radical difference of a disciple.

Think about our own community. A parishioner spreads false rumours about us, how do we respond? A family member keeps bringing up old wounds, do we retaliate or choose peace? A parish priest makes a decision we disagree with, do we criticise, or do we seek understanding?

Loving our enemies doesn’t mean pretending that hurt doesn’t exist. It means refusing to let it control us. It means choosing compassion over bitterness, mercy over revenge.

In yesterday’s first reading (1 Samuel 26:2,7-9,11-13,22-23), David had every reason to strike Saul down, yet he chose mercy. In doing so, he showed strength, not weakness.

We hear two voices when we’re wronged. One says, “Get even.” The other says, “Show grace.” Which voice do we listen to?

In his homily, Fr Cyril reminded us of this difficult but necessary call to love beyond what the world expects. He said: “If you really want to be Jesus’ disciple, you must love. Can you find anything like this in any other religion? We are unique, we can make a difference in the world because the teaching of Jesus is not what others commonly follow.”

Imagine a parish where disagreements didn’t lead to division, but deeper understanding. A family where past hurts didn’t define relationships. A community where we chose to love even when it was difficult.

That world isn’t a fantasy, it starts with us. It starts with the choices we make today.

And this is especially true after our parish assembly yesterday. We came together to discuss the future of our parish, to listen to one another and to build something greater than ourselves. But true unity doesn’t happen in a meeting, it happens in the way we treat each other every day.

If we want a stronger parish, it begins with radical love, the kind that chooses mercy over division, patience over pride, and most importantly, Christ over self.

So, who do we need to love, even when they don’t deserve it?
Who do we need to forgive, even if they haven’t apologised?

This is what it means to follow Christ.
This is what it means to be truly free. (BV)