Reflection for TUESDAY, 11th Week, Ordinary Time.
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Assistant Parish Priest,Manjeshwar,Kasargod
Reflective Reading of the Word of God
Matthew 5:43-48
Pray for those who persecute you
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: You must love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on bad men as well as good, and his rain to fall on honest and dishonest men alike. For if you love those who love you, what right have you to claim any credit? Even the tax collectors do as much, do they not? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Even the pagans do as much, do they not? You must therefore be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Reflection on the Readings
To be a Christian is indeed challenging.
When others know that we are a Christian, they would have an expectation of us.
And when we don’t meet their expectations, then there will be criticisms.
And of course, when we fall short of living out our Christian identity, then we will also be called hypocrites.
So, why do we still want to be a Christian and subject ourselves to such stress and pressure.
But we remember that it is not us who chose Jesus, but it is Jesus who called us and chose us to be His own.
And hence, we want to be a Christian and live out our commitment to Jesus.
We need not do big and spectacular or impressive things.
We only need to do things, whether big or small, with a great love for Jesus.
And may that love for Jesus also flow out to others, so that they will see what it means to be a Christian.
GOD BLESS YOU
Good morning. Have a nice day.