Tuesday 16th June – Tuesday of week 11 in Ordinary time

Reflection: Matthew 5:43-48

THE DEMANDS OF LOVE

Trials reveal our true character to us and the world. A man cannot be said to be patient without having endured some degree of delays; neither can he be said to be truthful without having shown himself to be honest. Love is a virtue we all practically claim to have, but how many of us are indeed loving? How often do we define love along our own standards as against the standard of God? This misnomer is what our Blessed Savior is correcting in today’s Gospel- “You have learnt how it is said: you must love your neighbor 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” (Matthew 5:43-45b).

God, who is Love (1 John 4:8), daily makes demands from you and I who claim allegiance to Him. The carnal inclination of man is to love those we consider “lovable” and keep at arm’s length those we consider “unlovable.” We live at a time when we easily justify our resentment for the inadequacies of others but easily excuse our own faults. Forgiveness becomes conditional and generosity is reduced to convenience. Dear friend, this is neither the way of Love exemplified by Christ nor is it the path of love followed by the early Church. In today’s Gospel acclamation (John 13:34), our Lord Jesus Christ commands us to love one another as He loves us. This is a call to sacrificial love; this is the call we see the early Church respond to in today’s first reading (2 Corinthians 8: 1-9).

Let us look inward, beloved in Christ and see how well we are responding to the demands love daily places on us. Our world is more secular than ever; the number of people who are interested in listening to the Good news lessens by the day, we however have an irresistible channel of evangelization by our way of life. People need to see the attributes of Christ in us. We must be loving, especially when it is most challenging to do so. This is our call as Christians and the grace of God is ever available to aid us.

PRAYER: Dear Father, please help me to daily meet the demands of love; help me that the world may find me true and faithful to You. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 303- How does one act justly?

One acts justly by always making sure to give to God and to one’s neighbor what is due to them.
The guiding principle of justice is: “To each his due”. A child with a disability and a highly gifted child must be encouraged in different ways so that each may fulfill his potential…

Hide a Treasure: “If you love me, you will keep my commands.” John 14:15 RSV-CE

Today’s Readings: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, Psalm 145:2, 5-9, Matthew 5:43-48