We must not be unjust and require from ourselves what is not in ourselves... Do not desire not to be what you are, but desire to be very well what you are.
- François de Sales (1567-1622), Spiritual Maxims (Doing God's will and being who you are go hand-in-hand. What might this mean for you today?)
Christianity and Spirituality monthly forum
Meets online the first Thursday of every month (beginning July 6) from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. CDT for prayer, teaching and discussion. Sign up for Zoom link and topic notifications. Suggested topics welcomed. No registration fee.
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2 Cor 3:15—4:1, 3-6; Ps 85:9-14 Mt 5:20-26 Jesus said to his disciples:
"I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.
"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother,
Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, 'You fool,' will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court with him.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny."
Reflection on the Scriptures
Jesus commands us to accept responsibility for our contributions to conflicts
before we even try to make things right. We’ll have done what he asks regardless of how others respond.
So, dear readers, next time the person who annoys you most is making you nuts, try to channel what Jesus teaches us about resolving conflicts. And remember my mom’s practical approach to getting through such episodes
even when you have to grit your teeth to do so.
P.S. It’s important to note that today’s gospel doesn’t require us to remain silent when moral issues are at stake. Jesus certainly didn’t. Peacemakers are obligated to take moral stands even when doing so causes conflict. In fact, it’s especially powerful when people
like my mom draw such lines.
-by Eileen Wirth
Proverbs for Perspective and Spiritual Living by Philip St. Romain, M.S., D. Min. From Pathways to Serenity, 1989, Liguori Publications; reprinted by Contemplative Ministries, Inc., 2013 (Minor editing applied.)
- https://shalomplace.com/view/pathview.html Included in Light for the Christian Journey, 2020: Contemplative Ministries, Inc.
https://shalomplace.com/view/light-journey.html
V. Discernment
1. If a feeling persists despite your surrender of its issues to Providence, it is probably pointing to an issue you need to work on
yourself.
2. The only sure thing about pleasant feelings is that you will want them back when they are gone.
3. Use your common sense. (If, during prayer, you find yourself growing sleepy, it probably means that you are
tired.)
4. Just because you have the opportunity to do something good does not mean that you should do it. Is it God’s will?
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