We are Called to Love

Gospel Reflection for June 19, 2023

“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. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” (Mt. 5:38-42 NABRE)

Sometimes in the heat of the moment it can be very hard to turn one’s cheek. When someone does or says something that frustrates us, it can be hard to just let it bounce off of us. Depending on the situation, we often feel like retaliating by talking back, giving an attitude, throwing our hands up in the air, or whatever else we feel like doing in order to get revenge.

Now, revenge sounds like a very strong word! But any time we feel like getting back at someone, that’s exactly what it is. When someone’s rude to us, offends us in traffic, reaches over us in the grocery store without saying “excuse me,” gives us an attitude—or whatever it may be, we tend to offer some sort of knee-jerk reaction. We may roll our eyes or give them a look that says “did you seriously just do that?”

Though some of us are more easily frustrated than others, we all experience moments of desiring retaliation.

My family and I recently traveled to Tennessee to visit my awesome aunt and uncle, and we attended a Catholic Mass there. The parish just so happened to have a visiting priest that week, and his sermon was incredible. He talked about the infiltration of hatred within the Church and how he hears a shocking number of Catholics speak with hatred towards others, specifically politicians.

He explained that we are called to love, and that the Catholic Church is called to be different and set apart from the world, so we must stop defaulting to hatred. When someone cuts us off in traffic, this priest said to bless that person and pray for them. More can be done to change the world by praying for those that offend us, than by lashing out in anger and frustration.

Likewise, when someone asks us to do something for them, even if it is the most boring, tedious, or even overwhelming task, we must respond with love and generosity, and not with grudging resistance. We are called to serve others in love, just like Jesus, and so we must not withhold ourselves from assisting others.

When something happens that could potentially frustrate you, remember not to let it sour your mood. Don’t fall into the snares of the devil. Rather, use these moments as an opportunity to strengthen the body of Christ, which you are a part of, by responding with patience and love. Further, don’t hesitate to serve others or to give others what they may ask of you. Together, as the body of Christ, we can fight the tactics of Satan, who wants to infiltrate the Church with hate, by responding in all things with LOVE!