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,
especially 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)
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: You tear yourself apart by hating,
by an anonymous early author from the Greek church
"We
have seen how murder is born from anger and adultery from desire. In the same
way, the hatred of an enemy is destroyed by the love of friendship. Suppose you
have viewed a man as an enemy, yet after a while he has been swayed by your
benevolence. You will then love him as a friend. I think that Christ ordered
these things not so much for our enemies as for us: not because enemies are fit
to be loved by others but because we are not fit to hate anyone. For hatred is
the prodigy of dark places. Wherever it resides, it sullies the beauty of sound
sense. Therefore not only does Christ order us to love our enemies for the sake
of cherishing them but also for the sake of driving away from ourselves what is
bad for us. The Mosaic law does not speak about physically hurting your enemy
but about hating your enemy. But if you merely hate him, you have hurt yourself
more in the spirit than you have hurt him in the flesh. Perhaps you don’t harm
him at all by hating him. But you surely tear yourself apart. If then you are
benevolent to an enemy, you have rather spared yourself than him. And if you do
him a kindness, you benefit yourself more than him." (excerpt
from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 13, The Greek Fathers)
MONDAY, JUNE 17, MATTHEW 5:38-42
Weekday (Eleventh Weekday in Ordinary Time)
(2 Corinthians 6:1-10; Psalm 98)
Weekday (Eleventh Weekday in Ordinary Time)
(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: Do I help promote Jesus' teaching on non-violence?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be a peace-making member of my community.
Monday 17 June 2019
2 Corinthians 6:1-10. Psalm 97(98):1-4. Matthew 5:38-42.
The Lord has made known his salvation – Psalm 97(98):1-4.
‘Now is the day of salvation!’
The Lord has made known his salvation – Psalm 97(98):1-4.
‘Now is the day of salvation!’
Today’s readings outline how we best 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.
We are invited to labour with Christ for the renewal of the
world. Let us take ourselves before the Lord and ask for his guidance in our
days. As the events of today unfold, as we make decisions and respond, let us
call on God’s grace to help us overcome any difficulties. Our God accompanies
us with an ever-faithful presence.
Saint Joseph Cafasso
Saint of the Day for June 17
(January 15, 1811 – June 23, 1860)
 |
| Statue de San Giuseppe Cafasso | José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro |
Saint Joseph Cafasso’s story
Even as a young man, Joseph loved to attend Mass and was known
for his humility and fervor in prayer. After his ordination, he was assigned to
a seminary in Turin. There he worked especially against the spirit of
Jansenism—an excessive preoccupation with sin and damnation. He used the works
of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Alphonsus Liguori to moderate the rigorism
popular at the seminary.
Joseph recommended membership in the Secular Franciscan Order to
priests. He urged devotion to the Blessed
Sacrament and encouraged daily Communion. In addition to his teaching
duties, Joseph was an excellent preacher, confessor, and retreat master. Noted
for his work with condemned prisoners, he helped many of them die at peace with
God.
Joseph urged one of his former pupils—Saint
John Bosco—to establish the Salesians congregation to work with the youth
of Turin. Joseph Cafasso died in 1860, and was canonized in 1947. His
Liturgical Feast Day is June 23.
Reflection
Devotion to the Eucharist gave energy to all Joseph’s other
activities. Long prayer before the Blessed Sacrament has been characteristic of
many Catholics who have lived out the Gospel well: Saint Francis, Bishop Fulton
Sheen, Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, and Saint Teresa of Calcutta among them.
Saint Joseph Cafasso is the Patron Saint of:
Prisoners
Prussia
Prussia
Lectio Divina: Matthew 5:38-42
Lectio Divina
Monday, June 17, 2019
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.
2) Gospel Reading - 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."
3) Reflection
• Today’s Gospel forms part of a small literary unit which goes
from Mt 5:17 to Mt 5:48, which describes 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 Mount 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. This is the desire of all of us. Just is the
one who succeeds in living 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 surpass the justice of the Pharisees (Mt 5:20). In today’s Gospel
we are almost reaching the summit of the mountain. Only a little is lacking.
The summit is described in one sentence: “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). As in the previous cases, here
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 among people 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.” When some violence is 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. Lamech 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, then Lamech 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” (Rom 12:17.21). To be able to have this attitude it is necessary to have
much faith in the possibility of recovery 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. (c) And if anyone requires you to go
one mile, go two miles with him. (d) 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 explicitly and
invite another strike. Rather, by not threatening or not blocking another blow,
He still “offers” the other cheek. At the same time, He reacted with energy:
“If there is some offense 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” (Rom 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 ever 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?
• In your daily life, how would you implement or act out the four examples in Matthew 5:39b-42?
• How can these affirmations of Jesus be applied to immigration and allowing immigration into the country?
• Many times, people will agree with affirmations such as these, and then give a BUT… and proclaim exclusions, exceptions, and limitations. Consider real-life modern situations that suggest an opportunity for “turning the other cheek”, “giving more than is asked”, eye for an eye”, etc. Do you too have a BUT, or ONLY IF limitation in your answer? Would Jesus say the same thing?
• In your daily life, how would you implement or act out the four examples in Matthew 5:39b-42?
• How can these affirmations of Jesus be applied to immigration and allowing immigration into the country?
• Many times, people will agree with affirmations such as these, and then give a BUT… and proclaim exclusions, exceptions, and limitations. Consider real-life modern situations that suggest an opportunity for “turning the other cheek”, “giving more than is asked”, eye for an eye”, etc. Do you too have a BUT, or ONLY IF limitation in your answer? Would Jesus say the same thing?
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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