Daily Reflection for Monday, September 05, 2022
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090522.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8
Responsorial: Psalm 5:5-6, 7, 12
Gospel: Luke 6:6-11
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
Looking around at them all, he then said to him, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so and his hand was restored. But they became enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus. Luke 6:10-11
In today’s Gospel reading Jesus did what was obviously a good deed and yet the Jewish religious leaders of the day were enraged, plotted to end his life, and ultimately sent him to the cross.
This reminds me of an expression you have probably heard. “No good deed goes unpunished.” This phrase was coined in cynical response to an excerpt from Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica:
For as punishment is to the evil act, so is a reward to a good act. Now no evil deed is unpunished by God, the just judge. Therefore, no good deed is unrewarded, and so every good deed merits some good.” (Summa Theologica)
Apart from God, it is difficult for the human person to see beyond her own self-interest and fear. So, as Jesus predicted, the love of many has grown cold (see Matthew 24:12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5) and this cynical point of view has supplanted the original thought in the hearts of many.
Though Jesus was crucified, he was also resurrected. Furthermore, he sent his Holy Spirit to dwell within the hearts of those who love him. The Holy Spirit leads us to the truth and the truth is that God is now and always has been aware of the good and the evil we do; that he is the Just Judge, and everyone will be held accountable for whatever they do.
I say, don’t listen to the God-denying cynics. I say, no good deed ever escapes God’s notice or his approval. I say, God is true!
Blessings, dear friends.
Melissa Kittrell