Christ Jesus, help me live beyond the oppression of evil doers…

Gospel Mystery of the Day         Monday, June 18, 2018
 
Good Morning!      
Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119)
 
Matthew 5:38-42
Christ Jesus, help me live beyond the oppression of evil doers…
 
I am compelled to do many things I philosophically do not believe in: vote for a less than perfect candidate; support a charity that has some failings; live with a young adult who is making self-destructive choices. So it was for the Israelites under the oppression of the Romans in Jesus’ time. When they were cuffed by a passing soldier, robbed by scoundrels in the market place or treated like a slave by a foreign (and uncivilized!) tribune, they too had to deal with ‘evil doers’. Jesus calls his followers both then and now to ‘not resist evildoers’, but to resist evil by going beyond and above what evil doers compel us to do. Jesus advises us to deal with evil doers by turning the other cheek, relinquishing more than enough, going the second mile and being generous with our time, treasure and talents. With his own Passion, Jesus modelled this redemptive response to evil doers that is born of holiness and the absolute dignity we have as beloved children of God. What evil doers am I dealing with today? How will I respond to them as a child of God? Christ Jesus, help me live beyond the oppression of evil doers.
        
Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my sighing. Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God. (Psalm 5:1)
 
Real zeal is standing still and letting God be a bonfire in you.
Catherine Doherty
 
See the book, “Don’t Forgive too Soon: Extending the Two Hands That Heal” by Dennis Linn, S.J., Matthew Linn, S.J. and Sheila Fabricant
 https://www.amazon.ca/Dont-Forgive-Too-Soon-Extending/dp/0809137046
 
www.gospelmysteryoftheday.ca  & Gospel Mystery of the Day on Facebook
 
Soli ad gloriam Dei