The Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Matthew 5: 38-48Today's gospel is one that is difficult for all of us at times. Jesus says "'You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil." And He also says today, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?"
These two teachings are surely related but they challenge us in different ways. It is difficult to be kind to one who does wrong to you. It is hard to pray for our enemies, to love them.
Depending on ourselves, these teachings seem insurmountable. But with God, all things are possible.