First reading 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
How we prove that we are God’s servants
Responsorial Psalm 97(98):1-4
The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation.
The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel.
The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord, all the earth,
ring out your joy.
Gospel Matthew 5:38-42
Offer the wicked man no resistance
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Overcoming evil with good
“You have heard how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer no resistance to the wicked…” (The Gospel). In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of not repaying evil with evil but responding to evil with goodness. These words might seem illogical and unreasonable to many of us. Our natural reaction when a wrong is done to us is to retaliate and seek revenge. Today, Jesus calls us to follow His attitude, which goes against all human reasoning and calls on us to make it our way too.
It is important to note that this Gospel passage does not negate the need for justice in cases of abuse, assault or any form of injustice. The main message is to reject the cycle of hatred and violence, and instead, to respond with love and forgiveness. On our own, we struggle to remain loving in the face of evil, to be kind amidst hostility, to stay faithful when confronted with unfaithfulness, to be peacemakers in the presence of hatred. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to work in us and to love through us.
Reflective question:
What strikes me in my prayer today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
