Daily Reflection for Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners!
We encourage you to reflect on Tuesday’s readings at this link: Click here.
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Kings 21:17-29
Psalm: Psalm 51: 3-6, 11, 16
Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48
Our reflection for Tuesday’s readings:
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...” Matthew 5:44
Today’s Gospel is the continuation from yesterday’s Gospel. Jesus offers us an alternative to the eye for eye and a tooth for a tooth way of living. Today Jesus invites us to love and pray even during those times of persecution when it might be more difficult. I can’t help but be cynical and think that unfortunately we are still living in an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth world. I try to imagine what our world would look like if we turned the other cheek and prayed for those who persecute us. Maybe if we would pray for those who hurt us, 18 school children and their teacher along with their families would be enjoying their summer vacation. And maybe if we loved our enemies, our world wouldn’t be so torn and divided. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.
Recently, I made a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy and visited the Basilica of St. Francis. Since then, I have become a little bit more fond of St. Francis and his way of loving and living out the Gospel. I have also been praying with St. Francis’ story and his explanation of what joy is. But not just joy, perfect joy. If you are not familiar with the story of St. Francis explaining to Brother Leo about perfect joy, you can follow this link: St. Francis and perfect joy. It is a wonderful story.
One of my favorite prayers is Footprints. It reminds me that even in the dark times of my life and even in the burdensome times of life, God is not only there, but carrying me. God is present in the persecution. God is present in the suffering. God is the joy of life. The challenge is to find that joy even when life becomes burdensome and we are being persecuted.
Today and tomorrow, let us pray for each other that we all are able to turn the other cheek and find Joy.
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam,
Tim Bush