GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 20TH JUNE 2017
TUESDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: 2Corinthians 8:1-9
PSALM: Psalm 146:2, 5-9
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:43-48
THEME: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES
Friends are like diamonds – they are hard to find. Enemies are like stones – they are everywhere. You can get so many enemies through no fault of yours. For example, someone may hate you simply because you are beautiful (handsome) and attractive. Another person may see you driving a new car and wish that you get an accident. The fact that you belong to a particular nationality, race or ethnic group is enough reason for you to have enemies. Some enemies may frown their faces at you and thereby communicate directly to you that they hate you but there are others too who would smile at you but beat war drums in their hearts. In sum, an enemy is anyone who is antagonistic to your wellbeing. They can be found in our biological families, neighbourhoods, workplaces and even in our churches. They are everywhere.
In our Gospel text for today, Jesus concludes the last part of the six sayings that have the formular, “You have heard…but I say…”. Dwelling on the theme of love, he tells his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mt. 5:43-45). Strictly speaking, there is no Old Testament commandment that explicitly advocates hatred of one’s enemies. However, the commandment to love one’s neighbour (cf. Lev. 19:18) was restrictively interpreted by many Jews to mean love of one’s fellow countryman. Jesus, by his statement, widens the net of love to embrace everyone, including one’s enemies.
To love one’s enemy does not mean to put your “finger into the mouth” of one who has expressed his/her desire to bite you. Rather, it is an act of the will to bless, to do good and pray for the very person who desires your downfall. It is choosing to pay back evil with good.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus Christ, I put my trust in you. Every moment of my life is in your hands; rescue me from the clutches of my foes who pursue me. I choose love in place of vengeance. In your power vindicate me and save me by your name.
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).