Homily (Reflection) for Tuesday of
the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (II) (14th June, 2016) on the
Gospel
1Kg 21:17-29;
Ps 50:3-6.11.16. (R. cf. v.3);Matt 5:43-48.
Topic: Emulate the Father.
Jesus asks us to love our enemies and pray for those who
persecute us. By doing this we become the true children of our Father whose sun
rises and rain falls for all. He went further and queried,
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers
and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do
the same?
Although Jesus was quoted to have said that previously it was
“You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy”, but we have these passages
in the Old Testament: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if
he is thirsty, give him water to drink” (Prov
25:21). Again, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your
heart be glad when he stumbles” (Prov
24:17). In the book of Exodus we also read,
When you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey going astray,
you shall bring it back. When you see the donkey of one who hates you lying
under its burden and you would hold back from setting it free, you must help to
set it free” (Ex 23:4-5).
Love of one’s enemies is not entirely a new law. We must follow
the example of our heavenly Father to be perfect as He is. He does not despise anybody,
cf. Job 36:5.
Bible Reading: Ex 23:1-9.
Thought for today: God despises nobody, cf. Job 36:5.
Let us pray: God, help us see beyond the physical
being that hurts us to the real person you created in your image and likeness –
Amen.
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