Our natural response to the failings of our fellow human beings ranges from mild irritation to soul-destroying hatred. Jesus’ startling reminder that God loves even those we despise is meant to serve as a spiritual wake-up call: we are to do the same. But how? His answer is both marvelously simple and utterly confounding. We are to be “perfect” in the way God is perfect. Somehow, we are to love others as God loves us. And the first step in this new direction is to relinquish our self-designated role as master of the universe.