You are so peculiar!

Or at least you should be (and so should I).

In today’s first reading, the Lord tells the people of Israel that they “are to be a people peculiarly his own” and ties that to their keeping of his commandments.

In today’s Gospel, our Lord is continuing to kick these commandments up another notch, holding us to an especially high standard, one that distinguishes us from the pagans.

"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."

Are we striving to meet this standard?

Are we unusual? Peculiar? Or do we blend in with the pagans?

Our heavenly Father is calling us to enjoy his perfection.