19 February, 2023 | 7th Sunday in Ordinary time

 Gospel Mt 5: 38 -48 

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 as well.

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,

hand over your cloak as well.

Should anyone press you into service for one mile,

go 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,

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

But I say to you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

that you may be children of your heavenly Father,

for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,

and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

Do not the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brothers only,

what is unusual about that?

Do not the pagans do the same?

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Reflections: 

Jesus always practiced what he taught us and this is true also of his call that we love our enemies.  Jesus loved us shedding his blood for his enemies. Hence, love even your enemy, not because it will drive the enemy nuts, but because those who deserve love least, need most.  We hurt ourselves by hating others. Hating people is like burning down one’s own house to get rid of a rat. We hurt ourselves by contemplating on revenge because, by doing so, we keep our wounds fresh which otherwise would heal. Hate not your enemy, life is too short for hate; and think of no revenge, and if we want to take any revenge at all, remember that the noblest revenge is to forgive. It is Christian to forgive, for we are all children of God, Who loves both the good and the bad without any discrimination.

Activity: 

Do you experience God’s love? How? Have you brought this message to others? Today be attentive to the signs of God’s providence in your life.