Sunday, February 19, 2017

Reflection: Matthew 5:38-48


The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Matthew 5:38-48

In this Sunday’s gospel, Jesus surprises the crowds with these words: “You have heard the commandment, ‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’”  However what I say to you is: “Offer no resistance to any type of injury. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him/her your other cheek.  Or if someone takes you to court over you shirt, give him your coat as well.”  Then Jesus gives other examples.  

“You have heard the commandment: love your countryman and pray for your persecutors.  This will prove that you are children of God.  After all, the sun rises on the bad and the good and rains on the just and the unjust.”  

Jesus always hopes that we will act without limits on our love and our forgiveness.  Often, this seems impossible to do; yet if we pray and strive to have an open heart, eventually we will be able to forgive the individual and hopefully develop a healthier relationship with him or her.  The ball is in your court!  What will you choose to do?

No comments:

Post a Comment