Can bad ever be a good thing?

   Even good people like to be bad sometimes.  Like getting back at that person that cut you off in traffic.  Or being called a ‘bad’ man out of respect that you are not to be messed with.  But does anything, and I mean ANYTHING, justify us doing bad?  Sure, we may get angry, and our anger may be justified, but does one bad action really deserve another bad action?  Will that make the world a better place?

   Of course, the answer is no.  But we fall into temptations every day that make doing good hard.  Situations present themselves and we need to see them for what they are: an opportunity to love!  Now when you get cut off in traffic, it is hard to love that person in that moment.  We justifiably feel anger, but we are not justified to ‘get even’.  We are called to greater things.  “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” [Matthew 5:44-45]

   We are called to be “children of our Heavenly Father”.  That is truly beautiful!  The Almighty God in Heaven is our Father, but Jesus seems to indicate that we must love our enemies in order to do so.  Yes, the person who cuts you off in traffic.  Surely, your Heavenly Father is telling you of someone that you need to love rather than store up hate for.  Love that person, that you may be a child of your Heavenly Father.  Or as Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34]

   Mary, you watched as the enemies of your Son had Him crucified on the Cross.  With your sorrowful heart, help us to forgive our enemies as your forgave your Son’s enemies.  Amen.