Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
(II Corinthians 6:1-10; Matthew 5:38-42)
The challenges which Jesus presents his disciples in today’s
gospel seem in need of qualification. Most
listeners would ask “what if” questions to understand the scope of his commands. For example, they would ask, “What if the
street person were to ask me for $10?
Should I give it to him?” Or “What if a rapist demands that I surrender
to him? Should I do it?” Of course, prudence should direct
decision-making, but most people, most of the time, could be less resistant to
letting go of what they have. St. Paul
in the first reading serves well as a model.
Paul describes the hardships he has endured preaching the
gospel. Most would have long before abandoned
the effort, but for Paul suffering is more reason to continue. He knows that every time he suffers for the
sake of Christ, he draws closer to his Lord.
Morally his willingness to suffer for others’ benefit approximates
Christ’s. Existentially, full union with
Christ in death becomes more certain.
Saints worry little about themselves because they know the
more they unite with Christ, the more he takes care of them. We should imitate them. When attacked verbally, let us not hurry to defend
ourselves. Rather, we might correct the
smidgen of truth that makes the attack credible. When approached for an offering, let us try
to supply what our petitioner really needs.
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