The words of Jesus in today’s Gospel challenge us to live a love that is extraordinary. This love goes beyond what is natural or logical. Jesus tells us: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”. These are not just suggestions, they are commands. They are also at the heart of Christian discipleship, and Jesus himself lived and taught this love to his people.

First, love without conditions: Jesus calls us to love unconditionally, with mercy and generosity. He does not ask us to love only those who love us back, but also those who are against us. This love is not based on whether someone deserves it, but on the fact that God is “kind to the ungrateful and wicked”. So our mission is not to judge others, but to bring mercy and compassion. From there, Jesus always invites us to love to the end. To go beyond normal human limits so that we can fully live the commandment of love with ourselves and others.

Second, prayer and evangelization: Jesus taught us to “pray for those who persecute us”. True Christian love is born of prayer. For us, prayer is not only a practice but also the foundation of our missionary life. Like Saint Teresa of Ávila and Saint John of the Cross, we understand that prayer is an encounter with God who transforms us. It fills us with God’s love so that we can share it with others. And in prayer we always receive enlightenment and consolation, so that we can learn to love others, especially those who are against us.

An act of love and charity: Jesus tells us: “Give and it will be given to you…” Trusting in the promise of Jesus, as followers of Blessed Francisco Palau, we live this trust through our spirit of dedication to the service of the Church. A service not only to the person we love, but to everyone, and therefore to the Church as a communion of love in which each person is cared for and uplifted. Inspired by this vision, we dedicate ourselves to healing and comforting the wounded in the Body of Christ. Thus we become imitators of Christ’s self-giving love for his Spouse, the Church.

Finally, be merciful as the Father is merciful: The heart of today’s Gospel is the call to imitate God’s mercy: “Be merciful as your Father is merciful”. This is the essence of being a follower of Jesus. Our lives must reflect God’s mercy to the world. Mercy is not weakness; it is strength. It allows us to see others as God sees them. For us as Palautians, we are bringing healing, hope and reconciliation wherever we go. We do not simply perform acts of charity; we build relationships of love. We seek to be the presence of Christ among the people we serve.