11th Week in Ord. Time, Monday – 15th June 2020 — Gospel: Mt 5,38-42
Repay blessing to inherit blessings
Jesus presents four examples of offending situations: one who slaps you on the check; sues you for your clothes; asks you to go a mile; and asks you for money. In these offending situations, apply the principle of not only foregoing retaliation, but taking a stunning action that gives offender a blessing. When we are confronted or insulted in a situation, we have two choices: either to increase the conflict with retaliation, or reduce the intensity of conflict; either to be a war-maker or a peace-maker. Earlier Jesus had said in the beatitudes, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5,9). We are peacemakers when we reduce the situations of conflict and extend a blessing instead. We are peacemakers when we turn the other cheek, forego the lawsuit, go the extra mile, and give to our brother in need. Peter builds off Jesus’ teaching and applies it to relationships between brothers and sister in Christ. He writes: “Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called – that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3,8-9).
