GOSPEL POWER | JUNE 14, 2021 | MONDAY | 11th Week in Ordinary Time 

Gospel: Mt 5: 38 - 42

Jesus said to his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”

Reflection

Responding to evil with the same negative energy  simply multiplies evil and gives birth to a vicious cycle  of violence. Evil is arrested only by responding to it with  positive energy. Only genuine love can absorb evil and neutralize it.  By offering no resistance to one who is evil, which means accepting to  suffer in the name of love, evil is disempowered from within. LOVE,  not evil, is the greatest power of all. Whoever takes up the weapon  of love is already a victor. Wounds, bruises and scars are all marks of  love’s victory, as the risen Christ clearly demonstrates

Prayer

Lord Jesus, only when empowered by your own love will we be able to  follow your seemingly impossible recommendation in today’s Gospel. Amen