Monday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
(Ephesians 4:32-5:8; Luke 13:10-17)
To draw the attention of others some act obnoxiously and speak obscenities. They bully the weak and provoke fights they know they can win. This kind of behavior, of course, is contrary to what the author of the Letter to the Ephesians has in mind in today’s first reading.
Instead of being “Mr. Tough Guy” or “Ms. Tough Girl” the
writer tells community members to be generous and caring. Their speech should express gratitude -- a
sign of dependence -- rather than aloofness from or 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 people call forth our patience and
prayer. It is not just a matter of
tolerance or getting along, but of love.
We show ourselves to love like Christ when we bear with the difficult as
well as when we celebrate with the good.
As he bore our sins, so must we cope with the shortcomings of one
another.
