Tuesday, June 18, 2002
11th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: 1 K 21:17-29
Gospel: Mt 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said: Love
your neighbor and do not do good to your enemy. But this I tell you: Love
your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be
children of your Father in Heaven. For he makes his sun rise on both the
wicked and the good, and he gives rain to both the just and the unjust.
If you love those who love you, what is special about that? Do not even
tax collectors do as much? And if you are friendly only to your friends,
what is so exceptional about that? Do not even the pagans do as much?
For your part you shall be righteous and perfect in the way your heavenly
Father is righteous and perfect."
Commentary
The late Anthony de Mello tells a story: the Master was once threatened with death by a bandit. "Then be good enough to fulfill my dying wish," said the Master. "Cut off the branch of that tree." One slash of the sword, and it was done! "What now?" asked the bandit. "Put it back again," said the Master. The bandit laughed. "You must be crazy to think that anyone can do that." "On the contrary, it is you who are crazy to think that you are mighty because you can wound and destroy. That is the task of children. The mighty know how to create and heal." If you love only those who love you, what is special about that? Love your enemies. That will prove that God Almighty, the Father of all, lives in your heart.