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, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow."
PRAYER - Beatitudes
Prayer #63 from the Oratory: Place of Prayer Book ($7)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the clean [pure] of heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Monday is dedicated to the Holy Spirit & the Holy Souls in Purgatory
STUDY - Excerpt from Loving Your Enemies
Where did “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” come from? This is from a passage in Leviticus which says, “Anyone who inflicts an injury on his neighbor shall receive the same in return. Limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth! The same injury that a man gives another shall be inflicted on him in return.” [1] This passage and commandment was to moderate vengeance; It is in place so that there would not be an escalation in retribution.
Why does Jesus say all this? Jesus wants us to realize that every person is our brother. “a Christian must love friend and enemy without exception. The motive is the same for both: both are children of God, therefore all men are brothers –neighbors. Seen in this light, there is no reason for distinctions between one people and another, between one race and another. There are not even distinctions based on love or hatred, good or evil, kindness or injury, or insults or injustice suffered. Nor is it permissible, for any reason, to hate one’s brother, the son of the same Father, the object of the same paternal love.” [2] If everyone is made in the image and likeness of the same God the Father then we are all brothers of the same father. If we act as brother then we will go the extra mile as Jesus tells us to today. Will there be people who do not accept this, and still see us as their enemy? Yes. However, this does not mean we are to look upon them as our enemy. Our only enemy is Satan and sin, because he is the one who wants us to be separated from the love of God. “Jesus taught us to regard sin as the only true evil and to avoid considering anyone as our personal enemy, and the saints of all times have given heroic witness to these teachings.” [3]
Where did “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” come from? This is from a passage in Leviticus which says, “Anyone who inflicts an injury on his neighbor shall receive the same in return. Limb for limb, eye for eye, tooth for tooth! The same injury that a man gives another shall be inflicted on him in return.” [1] This passage and commandment was to moderate vengeance; It is in place so that there would not be an escalation in retribution.
Why does Jesus say all this? Jesus wants us to realize that every person is our brother. “a Christian must love friend and enemy without exception. The motive is the same for both: both are children of God, therefore all men are brothers –neighbors. Seen in this light, there is no reason for distinctions between one people and another, between one race and another. There are not even distinctions based on love or hatred, good or evil, kindness or injury, or insults or injustice suffered. Nor is it permissible, for any reason, to hate one’s brother, the son of the same Father, the object of the same paternal love.” [2] If everyone is made in the image and likeness of the same God the Father then we are all brothers of the same father. If we act as brother then we will go the extra mile as Jesus tells us to today. Will there be people who do not accept this, and still see us as their enemy? Yes. However, this does not mean we are to look upon them as our enemy. Our only enemy is Satan and sin, because he is the one who wants us to be separated from the love of God. “Jesus taught us to regard sin as the only true evil and to avoid considering anyone as our personal enemy, and the saints of all times have given heroic witness to these teachings.” [3]
[1] Lev. 24:19-20
[2] Divine Intimacy, pg. 239
[3] Fernandez, In Conversation with God 3, 52.2
[2] Divine Intimacy, pg. 239
[3] Fernandez, In Conversation with God 3, 52.2
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