REFLECTION FOR MONDAY OF THE 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: NO RETALIATION
BY: SR. J. K. OSIYEMI EHJ
REFLECTION FOR MONDAY JUNE 13 2022
Mt 5: 38 – 42.
The natural tendency in me is to want to get even with whoever wrongs me. However, Jesus invites me to do the supernatural when I’m mistreated. He teaches me nonviolence, non-malice, non-retaliation, non-resistance, non-vengeance. He invites me to be generous. He implores me to turn the other cheek, that is, to forgive. But it is very hard for me to be meek when another tramples on my self respect, dignity and pride. How often do I ask Jesus to give me the attitude that promotes virtues of patience and gentleness? Are there times I have used back hand to slap anyone through spitefully demeaning their worth and works?
LET US PRAY
Thank you Jesus for this law of love and grace. Help me not to give in to my inclination to pay them back in their own coin, since if I allow anger to drive me to act I will most likely come out worse than those who initially offended me. Give me the grace to crush the spirit of revenge that is welling up within me. Grant me patience to endure all wrongs done to me. Take away from me forever the spirit of resentment. Teach me how to be cheerful even in the face of opposition and false accusation. Amen.
