When rain comes down from the sky, it waters everything. It pours its wetness on all things, giving them life and sustenance. In addition, Jesus says rain falls on honest and dishonest people alike. When it does not rain, the opposite is also true. The sun will shine down, and the sun's rays fall on everything exposed to the sun. Jesus also says the sun rises on bad people as well as good. Therefore, both rain and sun do not discriminate on whom they pour or shine on.

In the same way, our love for people must fall on everyone, regardless of their background - foe or friend. It is not an easy thing to do because we find it difficult to love those whom we cannot get along with. It is easier to love those who love us back. Yet Jesus asks us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us because He wants us to be perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect.

Because of our human nature we tend to wish bad upon those people who treat us badly. Hearing the story of Ahab in the first reading, we also gravitate towards wishing God's punishment on Ahab for the evil that he has done. But after being warned by Elijah, Ahab repented. God, seeing the penance and humbleness of Ahab, diverted his punishment. It's amazing how God can be moved by this kind of repentance.

Following God's example, we can also pray for those who have hurt us. We wish them good as we pray for them.