It's worth it.

A reflection on Matthew 5:38-48, the Gospel for February 23, 2014, the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

 

 

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 as well.

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,

hand over your cloak as well.

Should anyone press you into service for one mile,

go for two miles.

Give to the one who asks of you,

 and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

 

“You have heard that it was said,

You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.

 But I say to you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you,

 that you may be children of your heavenly Father,

for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,

and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?

Do not the tax collectors do the same?

And if you greet your brothers only,

what is unusual about that?

 Do not the pagans do the same?

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

 

This week’s Gospel is certainly not easy to live out.

When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. But that hurts!

If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. But it’s mine, I earned it!

Should anyone press you into services for one mile, go for two miles.  But I’m busy and far too tired!

Every statement in today’s Gospel emulates God’s love for us. He gave his whole self, and yet he continues to turn the other cheek when we reject Him and His teachings. His love does not lessen, no matter our actions. He desires us to have that same love for each other. It is not easy to do in an imperfect world, but we need to step outside our comfort zone.

What do you have to lose by extending yourself?

Better yet, what do you have to gain?

The losses are temporary, and the gains far outnumber them. If we never venture beyond the sense of security, we never grow.

A baby could very well remain helpless for the rest of their lives. Most have all their needs fulfilled by others, and are largely care-free. But they were created for more, and so they strive for more. Are a baby’s first steps without trepidation? Of course not. But they still take them, because by doing so a whole new realm of possibilities is opened.

When teaching a baby to walk, often times one parent will be supporting the child, while the other is a short distance away with arms open. The first parent releases the child, and waits with baited breath. The other beckons the child, encouraging them. Both parents are there to catch the child if they fall, and also to celebrate when the child is successful. This is parallel to God’s support whenever we strive for sainthood.

Picture a parent twirling their child in the air after the first steps. What if God was that elated each time you extended yourself righteously? (Hint: He is!)

Isn’t that alone worth it?

 

Godbwye

Laurel

 

Mother of thunder

I love it when God responds quickly to my prayer, as it seems to reassure my doubtful side which questions God's existence. My prayers began last night after I erupted in thunderous fashion at my five year old's unruly behavior. Despite long talks on good behavior vs bad behavior, time outs and toys taken away, he persisted in a disobedient fashion and last night I just had enough. The mother of thunder unleashed her firey breath quite loudly. I think it went badly for both of us....seemed hopeless at the time so I prayed for some divine intervention.

In the wee hours of the morn, I read today's gospel reading (Luke 9:51-56), and wondered if I'd found an answer. Jesus and disciples traveled through Samaria, stopping in a Samaritan village looking for some local hospitality. Instead they were unwelcomed there, as their final destination was Jerusalem. The deep seated animosity between Jew and Samaritan reared its head. So the sons of thunder, James and John planned to call down a firey punishment, just like Elijah in Samaria many centuries before (2 Kings 1). Yet Jesus rebuked His disciples and moved on to another village. Later, He dies in Jerusalem for everyone, asking His Father to forgive them...

The online format of The Word Among Us had a wonderful reflection on this reading. It stated that we, in our "excess of zeal," begin to label people in our heads and out loud, convinced of our right viewpoint and their wrong point of view. We see them as enemies instead of just ordinary people. In contrast, Jesus modelled mercy and compassion even for sinners on the wrong path in life. He died for everyone's sin, even His enemies! Perhaps we could start a spiritual revolution by blessing instead of cursing our "enemy," and ask God to change both our heart and "enemy's" heart to ease misunderstanding, bringing God's wisdom to play in both our lives, to make the world a better place!

I wondered if that would work for an unruly five year old boy? I had nothing to lose, so in the words of Zechariah 8:21: Come! Let us go to implore the favor of the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts. This morning I blessed him, signing a cross on his head for good thoughts and behavior, on his lips to control his sassy words, on his heart to make him realize his goodness, and on each hand so they would be respectful of others. I prayed all day, praising God and sure enough, the lad had a perfect day at school! Thanks be to God for all His gifts, especially for Jesus, a perfect model of God's compassion and mercy!