We want justice for the injustice brought upon us. For the hurt and pains caused, we want those who have done this to have either a taste or full measure of what they did to us. Why did they put us in this uncomfortable position to begin with? Revenge is sweet!
Not so says the Lord, mercy and forgiveness is far sweeter. For through mercy and forgiveness we find love. We disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ must mirror the love and mercy of our master. For He pleaded for us on the cross that we knew not what we are doing. Can we still claim ignorance after having been reborn in Him through our baptism? Through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit we are indeed a new creation. Able to withstand hardship, trials and challenges for love of our Lord and for one another.
People who look upon us see us for whom we truly are, for we do not hide behind masks. Our greatest and only desire is that they see the face of Christ when they gaze upon us. So that through all the sacrifices we make, all that we say and and do we bring glory to Lord our God. Amen
First reading
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 †
How we prove that we are God’s servants
As his fellow workers, we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received. For he says: At the favourable time, I have listened to you; on the day of salvation I came to your help. Well, now is the favourable time; this is the day of salvation.
We do nothing that people might object to, so as not to bring discredit on our function as God’s servants. Instead, we prove we are servants of God by great fortitude in times of suffering: in times of hardship and distress; when we are flogged, or sent to prison, or mobbed; labouring, sleepless, starving. We prove we are God’s servants by our purity, knowledge, patience and kindness; by a spirit of holiness, by a love free from affectation; by the word of truth and by the power of God; by being armed with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left, prepared for honour or disgrace, for blame or praise; taken for impostors while we are genuine; obscure yet famous; said to be dying and here are we alive; rumoured to be executed before we are sentenced; thought most miserable and yet we are always rejoicing; taken for paupers though we make others rich, for people having nothing though we have everything.
Gospel
Matthew 5:38-42
Offer the wicked man no resistance
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have learnt how it was said: Eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I say this to you: offer the wicked man no resistance. On the contrary, if anyone hits you on the right cheek, offer him the other as well; if a man takes you to law and would have your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone orders you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to anyone who asks, and if anyone wants to borrow, do not turn away.’
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