Last Updated on October 11, 2021 by GMC
A reflection on Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 26:52, and Proverbs 25:21-22
Thursday of the Twenty-Third Week in Ordinary Time
Related posts: The Golden Rule, Love of Enemies, Christ on Retaliation
©️2021 by Gloria M. Chang
But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:27-36 (NABRE)
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
Matthew 26:52 (RSV)
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
Proverbs 25:21-22 (RSV)
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink
for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
Dear GMC, thank you for your reflection. It is a companion on how to live especially in today’s world. As St. Augustine said, “What Christ was by nature,
we become by grace.”
Bless our becomings, O Christ. Help us grow into yourself. –Franciscan prayer