Monday, October 24, 2022

 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.