(Optional Memorial for Saint Romuald)
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| “The Kiss of Judas” by an UNKNOWN Italian Master, 1300-50 |
Commentary:
Reading 1: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Commentary on 2 Cor 6:1-10
St. Paul’s main message in this passage is to encourage Christians to remain steadfast as he and his companions have done. He describes nine different trials they have encountered (“afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts) and provides a litany of seven contrasting negative external perceptions with positive internal spiritual realities (virtues). The passage concludes (v. 8-10) with the first of seven accusations the Apostle makes against his detractors, essentially refuting any challenge to his authority as an authentic teacher of the Gospel.
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Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98:1, 2b, 3ab, 3cd-4
R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Commentary on Ps 98:1, 2b, 3ab, 3cd-4
Psalm 98 is a song of praise and thanksgiving. We sing a hymn of thanksgiving for God’s saving presence. In this selection God is praised for the strength he lends his people and the salvation he brings to those who are faithful. It is also a song of victory that is attributed to the Lord, and one of awe for the deeds he has done on behalf of his people. The final strophes invite all the earth to join in praising God for his mercy and justice.
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Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42
Commentary on Mt 5:38-42
Jesus quotes Mosaic Law from Leviticus 24:20. The Old Testament commandment was meant to moderate vengeance. The punishment was not to exceed the injury done. Jesus forbids even this proportionate retaliation, rejecting physical revenge completely: “…turn the other one to him as well.” He goes further with four additional examples, saying that the Christian is not to resist litigation but to offer more than is asked, offer more service than what is asked, and loan to others who wish to borrow. With these examples, the Lord shows how it must be between those who follow him to the Kingdom of God. The Lord redefines the term “neighbor” who was traditionally held to be one’s countryman. Jesus extends his commandment, to “love your neighbor,” even to enemies and those who persecute. In doing so, Jesus once more broadens the invitation to follow him to include not just the Jewish people, but all peoples.
CCC: Mt 5:42 2443
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Reflection:
We marvel at the ancient wisdom passed down to us as Jesus re-interprets the Law of Moses. So many times, he tells us that the only way to have communion with him and his Father is to love him first and then to love others who are also his adopted children. It all comes together in a very consistent way.
If we love another, not just for something they can give us, but for what we can share, then we must forgive them when they violate that mutual covenant of love. If we do not, if we hold on to the hurt, the betrayal, or the insult, we are not hurting the other person nearly as much as we are hurting ourselves. There is a direct relationship between the depth of love and trust we have shared and the amount of forgiveness we must be willing to extend to the other person. There is also a direct correlation between the amount of love and trust in which the other person was held and the difficulty we find in extending forgiveness.
But the Lord knows; he tells us that we must forgive. When we hold onto those hurts, we do intense harm to ourselves. If we cannot let it go, we will not be able to accept the peace of Christ. We have placed a huge barrier between ourselves and the Lord, who is love itself. In many cases we must hold this injury up to the light of Christ and ask ourselves what it is that is causing us such pain. Is it that the person has truly sought to hurt us? Or is it perhaps that they are merely inconsiderate; they did not realize the depth of the betrayal we perceived.
Regardless of reasons, our God commands that we forgive. He commands that we offer up our hurts, betrayals and insults to him; who was betrayed by his closest friend, insulted by the people he came to save, and murdered for the love he bore.
Pax
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