A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mt 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.”
REFLECTION
Give to the one who asks of you
Is it possible to love someone who has done us harm or ill will?
According to Jesus, all that was old was being transformed, including the old law of justice and revenge, into His new law of mercy, grace and loving kindness. Retaliation does not have a spot in this new law; in fact we are to seek the good of those who wish us ill.
Do we intentionally resist helping others? Do we carry a grudge? Do we insist our way be done, even raising our voice, if we want our way?
People judge us by what we say, act or do. They will form a decision about us—will they like us or not, will we be hard to get along with or not?
We are to treat others not as they deserve but as God wishes them to be treated. Jesus spent His life on earth telling us the will of His Father. We will find what we look for in people, so, remember, God expresses Himself through us. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for a better version of ourselves.
“Man is all earthly and all animal; nothing but the Holy Spirit can elevate his mind, and raise it on high.” (PAPA Top Secret II, The Secret to Eternal Life)
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