To Love Beyond the Minimum

February 28, 2026 – Saturday First Week of Lent

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022826.cfm)

Some of us know this very attitude or tendency in us of “Sakto lang” (just enough). This means that we do what is required and nothing more. At work, we come on time but never earlier. We finish what is assigned but we do not go the extra mile. Even in relationships, sometimes we keep things safe, friendly, polite, but not too involved or invested.

Even in our faith, this can happen as well. We attend Mass on Sunday, we fulfill our obligations, and we feel that is already enough. There is nothing wrong with doing what is required. But today, the Word of God asks us a deeper question, “Is my love only at the bare minimum?”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asked, “If you love those who love you, what is special about that? And if you are friendly only to your friends, what is so exceptional?” These words are challenging. Because loving those who love us is easy. Being kind to those who are kind to us requires little effort.

Yet, Jesus is not calling us to the easy kind of love. He is calling us to something more, that is, to love even our enemies, to pray for those who hurt us, to go beyond what is comfortable and safe.

Sometimes we live life at the minimum level. We do only what is expected. We avoid extra effort. We keep our relationships shallow to avoid risk. We stay within what is convenient and beneficial for us.

However, when life becomes only “minimum,” something slowly happens. We too become complacent. Then, indifference follows. And when we become indifferent, our hearts grow cold toward others and even toward God.

This is what Jesus is warning us about. Because love that stays at the minimum stops growing. And so, we lose our warmth. We lose our passion.

We actually see the opposite of this kind of love every day. Parents who sacrifice so their children can study. Couples who stay faithful despite differences and struggles. Teachers, nurses, and workers who go beyond their duty to serve others. Real love does not count the cost. And real love goes the extra mile.

In the first reading from Deuteronomy, God reminds His people to follow His commands with all their heart and all their soul. And God promises that they will be His people. This is not just about rules. It is about relationship. God gives Himself fully to us. In return, the Lord asks for a wholehearted response not half-hearted, not minimum, but complete.

That is why Jesus ends the Gospel with these strong words: “Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This does not mean being without mistakes. It means loving the way God loves us generously, patiently, and without limits.

This Season of Lent calls us now in going beyond the minimum in our love.

This could mean “forgiving someone we have been avoiding;
giving time to a family member who needs attention; being patient with a difficult co-worker or classmate; helping someone even when it is inconvenient; or serving the Church or the community, not only when it is easy.”

Yes, there is beauty in minimalism in many things. But not in loving. When it comes to love, we are not called to be minimalists.

Because God did not love us in a minimal way. He gave His time, His mercy, His patience. And He gave His Son for us.

So this Lent, let us ask ourselves honestly: Am I only doing the minimum in my faith? Am I loving only those who are easy to love?
Where is the Lord asking me to go the extra mile?

Indeed, may we love as much as we can, as God has loved us generously, concretely, and wholeheartedly. Hinaut pa.