BEADS OF JOY 06-17-19
“Go With Him Two Miles”
©2019 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s Gospel:
Matthew 5:38-42 (Teachings About Revenge)
“You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”
Reflection:
How do you repay, respond or act when insults are hurled at you? What if someone took advantage of you? Are you kind? Do you have the courage to return evil with good? Do you stop the evil -right then and there or do you continue it with revenge and hurtful, hateful words or actions back at the other person? If we are to follow after Jesus and if we are to be like Jesus; then for many -this aspect of our faith might be very difficult and challenging. In all of Jesus’ teaching it is very clear that we must never show retaliation; rather we must respond with mercy, love and kindness. Evil cannot be defeated by fueling it with more evil, rather it must be distinguished with love and kindness. Just like darkness can easily be defeated with light, even the smallest amount of light can easily be seen in the darkest of places. So, must we return evil with good.
Only at the Cross before Jesus will we be able to free ourselves from the selfishness and empty conceit of hatred and resentment. This takes great courage to be like Jesus, don’t misunderstand this and see this as weakness. Weakness gives in and caves in and we hurl back at others. It takes great courage and great love for someone to not respond in such a way.
Look at Jesus: How did He respond? Even on the Cross, He suffered insults, abuse and deep-rooted hatred; yet He responded with love, by asking God to forgive them. It is through His blood, that we also will be able to merciful and loving; even to those who hate us and insult us. My friends we are not like those of this world in so many ways. We don’t attach ourselves to the things of this world; we don’t get all involved with the selfishness of pride that goes with titles and values based on worldly accomplishments and now added to that we learn by Jesus’ example to detach ourselves from the insults and hatred of the world that are directed towards us. This won’t be easy, Jesus never said it would be.
Matthew 5:38-42 (Teachings About Revenge)
“You have heard that it was said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”
Reflection:
How do you repay, respond or act when insults are hurled at you? What if someone took advantage of you? Are you kind? Do you have the courage to return evil with good? Do you stop the evil -right then and there or do you continue it with revenge and hurtful, hateful words or actions back at the other person? If we are to follow after Jesus and if we are to be like Jesus; then for many -this aspect of our faith might be very difficult and challenging. In all of Jesus’ teaching it is very clear that we must never show retaliation; rather we must respond with mercy, love and kindness. Evil cannot be defeated by fueling it with more evil, rather it must be distinguished with love and kindness. Just like darkness can easily be defeated with light, even the smallest amount of light can easily be seen in the darkest of places. So, must we return evil with good.
Only at the Cross before Jesus will we be able to free ourselves from the selfishness and empty conceit of hatred and resentment. This takes great courage to be like Jesus, don’t misunderstand this and see this as weakness. Weakness gives in and caves in and we hurl back at others. It takes great courage and great love for someone to not respond in such a way.
Look at Jesus: How did He respond? Even on the Cross, He suffered insults, abuse and deep-rooted hatred; yet He responded with love, by asking God to forgive them. It is through His blood, that we also will be able to merciful and loving; even to those who hate us and insult us. My friends we are not like those of this world in so many ways. We don’t attach ourselves to the things of this world; we don’t get all involved with the selfishness of pride that goes with titles and values based on worldly accomplishments and now added to that we learn by Jesus’ example to detach ourselves from the insults and hatred of the world that are directed towards us. This won’t be easy, Jesus never said it would be.
Pondering these thoughts today: Consider the Prayer of Anselm. “O merciful God, fill our hearts, we pray, with the graces of your Holy Spirit; with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Teach us to love those who hate us; to pray for those who despitefully use us; that we may be the children of your love, our Father, who makes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. In adversity grant us grace to be patient; in prosperity keep us humble; may we guard the door of our lips; may we lightly esteem the pleasures of this world, and thirst after heavenly things; through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Our faith is distinct most significantly in how we treat others; even and most especially to those who treat us with hated.
Matthew 5:38-48
Christ's Teachings on Retaliation
and Loving Your Enemies
Christ's Teachings on Retaliation
and Loving Your Enemies
Martin Luther King Jr.’s
Love Your Enemies Speech
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
Today is Monday: We pray the Joyful Mysteries:
The Joyful Mysteries
1. The Annunciation (Humility) – Luke 1:26-28
2. The Visitation (Love of Neighbor) – Luke 1:39-45
3. The Birth of Jesus (Poverty of Spirit) – Luke 2:1-20
4. The Presentation (Purity of Mind & Spirit) – Luke 2:22-38
5. Finding in The Temple (Obedience) –Luke 2:41-50
I simply love Monday mornings, because every morning begins with the Rosary.
Rosary Man Jim’s Joyful Reflection: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-joyful-mysteries_10.html
MY
FIRST BOOK.
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)
(Mary’s Way of The Cross - .99¢)
MY
SECOND BOOK.
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)
(Praying The Complete Rosary - .99¢)
