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?

Reflection: Mark 9:2-13

Saturday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 9:2-13

The gospel for today is Mark’s account of the Transfiguration.  Jesus decided to take Peter, James and John up to a mountain.  When they arrived at the top of the mountain, Jesus was transformed before them and His clothing became dazzling white.  Then Elijah and Moses appeared and they began to converse with Jesus.   

After a time, Peter spoke to Jesus and said: “Rabbi, how good it is for us to be here!  We will erect three booths for you on this mountain, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  Peter did not know what else to say, for he and all the disciples were filled with awe.  Then a cloud came and overshadowed them.  A voice spoke from the cloud saying: “This is my Son, my beloved.  Listen to him.”  Then the disciples realized that no one else was with them– only Jesus.   

The disciples knew that Jesus was an extraordinary teacher; however to have Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Jesus must have astounded them!  Moses and Elijah were two of the most important prophets in the Old Testament; yet they saw these prophets and heard Jesus converse with them like they were old friends.

Why were the disciples so astounded?  After all, not long ago on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jesus’ identity had been revealed to them; yet once again they are astounded by this revelation!  I suspect that many of us react in a similar way when we experience an unusual happening in our lives; typically we also need to take time to absorb an unexpected or unusual reality.  However, the most important words in this Gospel are the words that were spoken from the cloud:  “This is my Son, my beloved.  Listen to him.”   This is our call for today and every day.  We are to attend to Jesus’ presence in our lives and listen for His voice.  Today Jesus will come to us; however, if we are not awake or attentive we will miss him.  What a loss that would be!

Reflection: Mark 8:34-9:1

Friday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 8:34-9:1

Today Jesus summoned the crowd and his disciples and said to them: “Anyone who wishes to come after me must deny their very self, take up the cross, and follow in my footsteps.” Jesus then asked a series of questions.  Jesus hoped his listeners would realize what it required for a person to truly “follow Him”.  It is not an easy route: there are many challenges, losses and gains if we wish to become a true follower of Jesus.   

Today I invite you to take 5-10 minutes and ask yourself: What are the challenges in my life that are related to my faith or my beliefs?  Am I a true and faithful follower of Jesus in my daily life?  Or am I simply a “Sunday” follower of Jesus?  We may “profess” to be Christian; however, it is how we live our daily lives that is the true test of our Christianity.

Reflection: Mark 8:27-33

Thursday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 8:27-33

Today Jesus and the disciples were traveling to the villages in the region of Caesarea Philippi.  As they walked Jesus asked his disciples: “Who do people say that I am”?  His disciples replied with a variety of responses: “Some say John the Baptizer, others, Elijah and still others say you are a prophet.”  Then Jesus asked them: “Who do you say that I am?” Naturally, it was Peter who spoke first.  He simply said: “You are the Christ!”  Jesus then gave his strict orders not to tell anyone about him.  Then Jesus began to teach His disciples that “the Son of Man” would suffer greatly, be rejected by Temple elders and ultimately be put to death.”  However, there also were other people who heard Jesus’ proclamation.  Peter was extremely upset that so many people had heard Jesus’ statement.  He quickly took Jesus aside and cautioned him about saying such things.  Jesus looked directly at Peter and said to him: “Get out of my sight, you Satan!  You judge by human standards. You do not judge by God’s standards.

Are we like Peter?  Do we judge by human standards?  Or do we strive to judge by God’s standards?

I suspect many of us typically judge by “human standards” rather than “God’s standards.” There is a vast differences between how God judges and how we human beings judge.  Often we do not even realize that we have judged another because often we do it without even realizing it.  It may be about their behavior, the clothing they are wearing, or any number of other things.

The reality is we do not like when others judge us; yet many of us judge others without even thinking about it!  Today I invite you to be aware throughout your day!  Strive to be open to every person you meet.  If you become aware you are judging them for one thing or another: put positive thoughts in your head rather than negative ones.  This is a great gift for the individual, the world and for yourself!

Reflection: Mark 8:22-26

Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time - Mark 8:22-26

This Gospel begins with friends of a blind man bringing him to Jesus for healing.  They asked Jesus to touch the man.  Jesus immediately reached out, took the man’s hand and led him out of the village.  Jesus then spit into his hand and placed his spittle on the blind man’s eyes.  After a time, Jesus asked him: “Can you see anything”?  The man opened his eyes and said: “I can see people; however they look like trees”.  Jesus once again placed his hands on the man’s eyes and this time the man’s eyes were healed and his sight was completely restored!  Jesus then told the man to go home.  Then Jesus admonished the man: “Do not go into the village.”

Take a moment and ask yourself: How am I blind?  What are my blind spots?  What do I choose to block out?  What do I not want to see or hear?  Then today when you realize that you are blocking a situation or feeling, open your mind and heart, and deliberately examine your blind spot for a few minutes.  This likely will feel uncomfortable; however, you may learn something about yourself that will help you become a more loving and accepting person.   What a step forward!