Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 365
Lectionary: 365
Brothers and
sisters:
As your fellow workers, we appeal to you
not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
We cause no one to stumble in anything,
in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;
on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves
as ministers of God, through much endurance,
in afflictions, hardships, constraints,
beatings, imprisonments, riots,
labors, vigils, fasts;
by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness,
in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech,
in the power of God;
with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;
through glory and dishonor, insult and praise.
We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;
as unrecognized and yet acknowledged;
as dying and behold we live;
as chastised and yet not put to death;
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
As your fellow workers, we appeal to you
not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says:
In an acceptable time I heard you,
and on the day of salvation I helped you.
Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
We cause no one to stumble in anything,
in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;
on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves
as ministers of God, through much endurance,
in afflictions, hardships, constraints,
beatings, imprisonments, riots,
labors, vigils, fasts;
by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness,
in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech,
in the power of God;
with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;
through glory and dishonor, insult and praise.
We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;
as unrecognized and yet acknowledged;
as dying and behold we live;
as chastised and yet not put to death;
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing and yet possessing all things.
Responsorial PsalmPS 98:1, 2B, 3AB, 3CD-4
R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
In the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
In the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
AlleluiaPS 119:105
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word,
a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelMT 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.”
“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.”
Meditation: Do not return evil for evil
If someone insults you or tries to take advantage of you, how do
you respond? Do you repay in kind? Jesus approached the question of just
retribution with a surprising revelation of God's intention for how we should
treat others, especialy those who mistreat us. When Jesus spoke about God’s
law, he did something no one had done before. He gave a new standard based not
just on the requirements of justice - giving each their due - but based on the
law of grace, love, and freedom.
Law of grace and love
Jesus knew the moral law and its intention better than any jurist or legal expert could imagine. He quoted from the oldest recorded law in the world: If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe (Exodus 21:23-25). Such a law today seems cruel, but it was meant to limit vengeance as a first step towards mercy. This law was not normally taken literally but served as a guide for a judge in a law court for assessing punishment and penalty (see Deuteronomy 19:18).
Jesus knew the moral law and its intention better than any jurist or legal expert could imagine. He quoted from the oldest recorded law in the world: If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe (Exodus 21:23-25). Such a law today seems cruel, but it was meant to limit vengeance as a first step towards mercy. This law was not normally taken literally but served as a guide for a judge in a law court for assessing punishment and penalty (see Deuteronomy 19:18).
The Old Testament is full of references to the command that we
must be merciful: You shall not take vengeance or bear any grudge
against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as
yourself: I am the LORD (Leviticus 19:18). If your enemy
is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink (Proverbs
25:21). Do not say, "I will do to him as he has done to me; I will
pay the man back for what he has done" (Proverbs 24:29). Let
him give his cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults (Lamentations
3:30).
Jesus does something quite remarkable and unheard of. He
transforms the law of mercy with grace, forbearance, and loving-kindness. Jesus
also makes clear that there is no room for retaliation. We must not only avoid
returning evil for evil, but we must seek the good of those who wish us ill. Do
you accept insults, as Jesus did, with no resentment or malice? When you are
compelled by others to do more than you think you deserve, do you insist on your
rights, or do you respond with grace and cheerfulness?
Grace of the Holy Spirit
What makes a disciple of Jesus Christ different from everyone else? What makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace - treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated - with loving-kindness and mercy. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction. The Lord Jesus suffered insult, abuse, injustice, and death on a cross for our sake. Scripture tells us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and guilt (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7, I John 1:7, Revelation 1:5). Since God has been merciful towards us through the offering of his Son, Jesus Christ, we in turn are called to be merciful towards our neighbor, even those who cause us grief and harm. Do you know the power and freedom of Christ’s redeeming love and mercy?
What makes a disciple of Jesus Christ different from everyone else? What makes Christianity distinct from any other religion? It is grace - treating others, not as they deserve, but as God wishes them to be treated - with loving-kindness and mercy. Only the cross of Jesus Christ can free us from the tyranny of malice, hatred, revenge, and resentment and gives us the courage to return evil with good. Such love and grace has power to heal and to save from destruction. The Lord Jesus suffered insult, abuse, injustice, and death on a cross for our sake. Scripture tells us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin and guilt (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7, I John 1:7, Revelation 1:5). Since God has been merciful towards us through the offering of his Son, Jesus Christ, we in turn are called to be merciful towards our neighbor, even those who cause us grief and harm. Do you know the power and freedom of Christ’s redeeming love and mercy?
"O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces
of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness,
faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us;
to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your
love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends
rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient;
in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly
esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through
Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Anselm, 1033-1109 AD)
MONDAY, JUNE 15, MATTHEW 5:38-42
Weekday
(2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Psalm 98)
Weekday
(2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Psalm 98)
KEY VERSE: "But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil" (v 39).
TO KNOW: The Law of Moses was intended to limit the extent of vengeance that could be taken against someone who inflicted an injury (Ex 21:23-24). This law of retaliation (Lex Talionis), an "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," may be described as the law of 'tit for tat.' It stated that punishment could not exceed the wrong that was done to someone. In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, he taught that the law of love prohibited revenge and retribution. He emphasized that there were no limits to be placed on Christian forgiveness and love. His disciples must go an "extra mile" in response to another's need, even at their own expense. They were to give generously without expecting repayment. In today's violent world, Jesus reminds us not to repay injury with evil. St. Augustine said: "Forgiveness has two daughters: Justice and Compassion."
TO LOVE: Does capital punishment promote Jesus' teaching on non-violence or does it further the cycle of vengeance and retaliation?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be a peace-making member of my community.
Monday 15 June 2015
Monday, 15 June, 2015. 2 Corinthians 6:1-10. The
Lord has made known his salvation–Ps 97(98):1-4. Matthew 5:38-42.
In
everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God.
Today’s readings outline
how we should live as followers of Christ. At first glance, it appears that
this is no easy task. St Paul details how we should be acting in various
circumstances ranging from fasting to imprisonment.
The opening verses in this
reading serve to remind us of the working of God’s grace. We can’t be ‘perfect’
Christians. On the other hand, it is in our weakness that God is able to show
his strength. His grace is sufficient for us.
As the events of today
unfold, let us call on God’s grace to help us overcome any difficulties. God is
a God of power and might—nothing is impossible for God. How wonderful if God
could sign his name to the end of our day witnessing that we were
true disciples.
MINUTE MEDITATIONS
|
The Truest Sign
|
The Truest Sign Prayer is the truest sign that we know—even
against what we may feel—that we always have the Father’s attention and the
Son’s support. Prayer is the true sign that we are living the divine life, the
gift of love that has come to us from above.
June
15
St. Marguerite d’Youville
(1701-1771)
St. Marguerite d’Youville
(1701-1771)
We learn compassion from allowing our lives to be influenced by
compassionate people, by seeing life from their perspective and reconsidering
our own values.
Born in
Varennes, Canada, Marie Marguerite Dufrost de Lajemmerais had to interrupt her
schooling at the age of 12 to help her widowed mother. Eight years later she
married Francois d'Youville; they had six children, four of whom died young.
Despite the fact that her husband gambled, sold liquor illegally to Native
Americans and treated her indifferently, she cared for him compassionately
before his death in 1730.
Even
though she was caring for two small children and running a store to help pay
off her husband's debts, Marguerite still helped the poor. Once her children
were grown, she and several companions rescued a Quebec hospital that was in
danger of failing. She called her community the Institute of the Sisters of
Charity of Montreal; the people called them the "Grey Nuns" because
of the color of their habit. In time, a proverb arose among the poor people of
Montreal, "Go to the Grey Nuns; they never refuse to serve." In time,
five other religious communities traced their roots to the Grey Nuns.
The
General Hospital in Montreal became known as the Hotel Dieu (House of God) and
set a standard for medical care and Christian compassion. When the hospital was
destroyed by fire in 1766, she knelt in the ashes, led the Te Deum (a
hymn to God's providence in all circumstances) and began the rebuilding
process. She fought the attempts of government officials to restrain her
charity and established the first foundling home in North America.
Saint John
XXIII, who beatified her in 1959, called her the "Mother of Universal
Charity." She was canonized in 1990.
Comment:
Saints deal with plenty of discouragement, plenty of reasons to say, "Life isn't fair" and wonder where God is in the rubble of their lives. We honor saints like Marguerite because they show us that, with God's grace and their cooperation, suffering can lead to compassion rather than to bitterness.
Saints deal with plenty of discouragement, plenty of reasons to say, "Life isn't fair" and wonder where God is in the rubble of their lives. We honor saints like Marguerite because they show us that, with God's grace and their cooperation, suffering can lead to compassion rather than to bitterness.
Quote:
"More than once the work which Marguerite undertook was hindered by nature or people. In order to work to bring that new world of justice and love closer, she had to fight some hard and difficult battles" (Pope John Paul II, canonization homily).
"More than once the work which Marguerite undertook was hindered by nature or people. In order to work to bring that new world of justice and love closer, she had to fight some hard and difficult battles" (Pope John Paul II, canonization homily).
LECTIO DIVINA:
MATTHEW 5,38-42
Lectio:
Monday, June 15, 2015
Ordinary Time
1)
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God,
our hope and our strength,
without you we falter.
Help us to follow Christ
and to live according to your will.
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
our hope and our strength,
without you we falter.
Help us to follow Christ
and to live according to your will.
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2)
GOSPEL READING - MATTHEW 5,38-42
Jesus said to his disciples: 'You have heard how it was said:
Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer no resistance to
the wicked. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him
the other as well; if someone wishes to go to law with you to get your tunic,
let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone requires you to go one mile, go
two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks you, and if anyone wants to borrow,
do not turn away.
3)
REFLECTION
• Today’s Gospel forms part of a small literary unit which goes
from Mt 5, 17 to Mt 5, 48, in which is described how to pass from the ancient
justice of the Pharisees (Mt 5, 20) to the new justice of the Kingdom of God
(Mt 5, 48). It describes how to go up to the Mountain of the Beatitudes, from
where Jesus announces the new Law of Love. The great desire of the Pharisees
was to live in justice, to be just before God. And this is the desire of all of
us. Just is the one who succeeds to live where God wants him/her to live. The
Pharisees tried to attain justice through the strict observance of the Law. They
thought that with their own effort they could succeed in being where God wanted
them to be. Jesus takes a stand concerning this practice and announces the new
justice which should exceed, surpass the justice of the Pharisees (Mt 5, 20).
In today’s Gospel we are reaching almost the summit of the mountain. Only a
little is lacking. The summit is described in one phrase: “Be perfect as your
Heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5, 48), on which we will meditate in tomorrow’s
Gospel. Let us look closely at this last degree which is still lacking to reach
the summit of the Mountain, of which Saint John of the Cross says: “Here reign
silence and love”.
• Matthew 5, 38: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. Jesus quotes a
text of the Ancient Law saying: “You have heard how it was said: Eye for eye
and tooth for tooth!” He shortened the text, because the complete text said:
“Life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, foot for foot, burn for burn,
wound for wound, blow for blow” (Ex 21, 23-25). Like in the previous cases, here
also Jesus makes a completely new rereading. The principle “eye for eye, tooth
for tooth” was already found in the origin of the interpretation which the
Scribes made of the law. This principle should be overthrown, because it
perverts and destroys the relationship between persons and with God.
• Matthew 5, 39ª: Do not give back evil for evil received. Jesus
affirms exactly the contrary: “But I say to you do not offer resistance to the
wicked”. Before some violence received, our natural reaction is to pay the
other one with the same coin. Vengeance asks for “eye for eye, tooth for
tooth”. Jesus asks to pay back the evil not with evil, but with good. Because
if we do not know how to overcome the violence received, the spiral of violence
will take up everything and we will not know what to do. Lamec said: For a
wound received I will kill a man, and for a scar I would kill a young person.
If the vengeance of Cain was worth seven that of Lamec will count for
seventy-seven” (Gen 4, 24). And it was precisely because of this terrible act
of vengeance that everything ended in the confusion of the Tower of Babel. (Gen
11,1-9). Faithful to the teaching of Jesus, Paul writes in the Letter to the
Romans: “Never pay back evil with evil; let your concern be to do good to all
men. Do not allow yourselves to be overcome by evil but overcome evil with
good” (Rm 12, 17.21). To be able to have this attitude is necessary to have
much faith in the possibility to recover that the human being has. How can we
do this in practice? Jesus offers four concrete examples.
• Matthew 5, 39b-42: the four examples to overcome the spiral of
violence. Jesus says: “rather (a) if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer
him the other as well; (b) if anyone wishes to go to Law with you to get your
tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (d) And if anyone requires you to go
one mile, go two miles with him. (e) Give to anyone who asks you, and if anyone
wants to borrow, do not turn away” (Mt 5, 40-42). How are these four
affirmations to be understood? Jesus himself helps us to understand. When the
soldier hit him on the cheek, he did not offer the other cheek. Rather, he
reacted with energy: “If there is some offence in what I said, point it out,
but if not, why do you strike me?” (Jn 18, 23) Jesus does not teach us to be
passive. Saint Paul thinks that paying evil with good “you will make others be
ashamed” (Rm 12, 20). This faith in the possibility to recover the human being
is possible only beginning from the root which comes from the total gratuity of
the creative love which God shows us in the life and the attitudes of Jesus.
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
• Have you some time felt within you such a great anger as to
want to apply the vengeance “eye for eye, tooth for tooth”? What did you do to
overcome this?
• Does life in community, living together, favour today in the
Church and in us the creative love which Jesus proposes in today’s Gospel?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Give ear to my words, Yahweh,
spare a thought for my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God! To you I pray. (Ps 5,1-2)
spare a thought for my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God! To you I pray. (Ps 5,1-2)
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