MY daily reflection and prayer:
Monday, June 13, 2016
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 5: 38-42
Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN today’s Gospel reading we find the radical newness of Jesus Christ’s Kingdom. It’s marked by radical love and mercy. Jesus Christ says, “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.”
It is new in its fundamental principle: a charity that must extend to loving one’s very enemies. There are no words more radical than these. Jesus Christ dare to speak of them, for he is the Son of God. He lives them out fully in his own life, allowing himself to be nailed to the cross by evil men.
Jesus Christ is the face of God’s mercy. He is the face of the Father’s mercy. Love and mercy must motivate all our actions. We read this message for today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist we adore Jesus Christ who shows the face of the Father’s mercy. There we ask him to have merciful heart that we are able to love those hate and hurt us.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, it is only heroic charity that will be able to win over evil men to the cause of the Gospel. Help us to grow in zeal for all men to be saved and to come to know you in their lives now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
