Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ephesians 4:32-8:8; Luke 13:10-17)
Some youth prefer to utter obscenities and to act so that everyone
takes notice of them. They bully others
and provoke fights when they know they can win.
This kind of behavior is, of course, contrary to what the author of the
Letter to the Ephesians has in mind for the community in today’s first reading.
Instead of being “Mr. Tough Guy” or “Ms. Tough Girl” the
writer tells the community to be generous and caring. Members’ speech should express gratitude, a
sign of dependence, rather than aloofness from and, much less, dominance of
others.
Some may find it difficult to act with such humility. For cultural or personal reasons, they may tell
themselves never to be vulnerable to another’s criticism. Such cases call forth our patience and
prayer. It is not just a question of
tolerance or getting along. It is a
matter of love by which we show ourselves to be members of Christ’s body. As he bore our sins, so must we cope with the
shortcomings of one another.
