June 14, 2021 Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary Time-B
2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Psalm 98
Matthew 5:38-42
“…when someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well.”
Matthew 5:39
Lord, following you and living by your teaching is not for wimps. These words today don’t make a lot of sense to us by human standards. I guess that’s why the standards of your kingdom are not those of man’s kingdom. It would be good if we could teach your way on the evening news. The word “retaliation” is not in your dictionary is it? Your teaching is radical to most of us. You have so much to say about how we should manage and nourish our relationships with family, neighbors and those not so friendly to us. I want to live what is important to you. It is important to you that I offer no resistance, turn the other cheek, give away my cloak and go the extra mile–all of which require a basic change in my attitude. Where can I begin? This is such a challenging teaching. But with your grace I can do it. Today, Lord help me to start small-with one person, one encounter, one effort. I’ll worry about the next one tomorrow. I so need your help to look at others and to treat them as you would. Amen.