Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today we hear St. Paul encouraging the Christians of Corinth to model their lives on the example of Christ: “Christ…became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich” (2 Cor 8:9). He exhorts them to share not only of their material goods but also to be generous in service and genuine in their concern for others. The responsorial verses from Ps 146 further expand on this idea by showing us the example of God’s merciful love throughout history. The Lord is described as the one who “secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry…sets captives free…[and] protects strangers” (Ps 146:7-8,9). It is in this context that the entrance antiphon of today’s mass comes to life: “O Lord, hear my voice, for I have called to you; be my help” (Ps 27:7). It is only by divine assistance that we can give unselfishly and ungrudgingly of ourselves as did Christ our Savior.
In St. Matthew’s gospel, Jesus takes this injunction a step further: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Jesus prayed for his persecutors: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). We are urged to imitate God’s mercy: “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48). [St. Luke’s parallel saying is: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Lk 6:36)] We are called to forgive those who have injured us and those who have hated us. This is the kind of love that pinches.
The alternate communion antiphon for the week presents a beautiful summary of today’s liturgy: “Holy Father, keep in your name those you have given me, that they may be one as we are one, says the Lord” (Jn 17:11). This is Jesus’ prayer that his disciples will be as closely united to each other as he is to his Father. In order for that to happen, we must exhibit the merciful love of the Father—a love that extends to not only our friends and fellow believers, but especially to those we consider to be enemies. If we are to emulate God’s perfection, then we must practice God’s forgiveness. The exercise of this kind of love will bring about the unity for which Jesus prays.
For today: Who are those people in my life God is calling me to forgive in the same way he forgives?
Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections