Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Intention: For immigrant and refugee families in search of lives of peace and dignity, that citizens and governments will find the humility to be channels of God’s welcome, compassion, healing, and unity to them.
Today’s Gospel | Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples, “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.”
From the Tenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
Saint Paul, speaking to the Philippians after teaching them different maxims, adds, Act according to the same maxims, and so be imitators of me. Look to those who live according to the example that I have given you. Do the things I have taught you, what I have said to you, what I have written to you, and of which I have given you the example. So, the ardent zeal of this great saint for the salvation of souls was to have them observe what he practiced.
This is also the way that our Lord acted, of whom it is said that he began to do and then to teach. Speaking to his Apostles after he had washed their feet, he says, I have given you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you.
Prayer
Eternal Father, forgiveness does not always come easily for us. It can be hard for us to let go of our anger and trust others after they have hurt us. It takes faith to be forgiving. Lord, help our lack of faith. Teach us to live our hopes and not our fears, reaching out to one another in healing and acceptance as brothers and sisters. May we all learn that forgiveness is not an act of weakness, but an act of strength. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.