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I remember once hearing Whipple, of Minnesota, so well known as “The Apostle of the Indians,” utter these beautiful words: “For thirty years I have tried to see the face of Christ in those with whom I differed.” When this spirit actuates us we shall be preserved at once from a narrow bigotry and an easy-going tolerance, from passionate vindictiveness and everything that would mar or
injure our testimony for Him who came not to destroy human lives, but to save them.
- William Henry Griffith Thomas
(To "see the face of Christ in
those with whom you differ.")
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2 COR 6:1-10; PS 98:1, 2B, 3AB, 3CD-4
MT 5:38-42
Jesus said to his disciples:
"You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand him your cloak as
well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow." USCCB lectionary
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Reflection on the Scripture |
We are "sorrowful, though we are always
rejoicing; poor, yet we enrich many. We seem to have nothing, yet everything is ours!" —2 Corinthians 6:10
When we were baptized, all heaven broke loose. We were begotten from above, born again (Jn 3:3, 5), and adopted as children of God. Our bodies were made temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19). We became "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Pt 2:9). The Holy Trinity came to live
in us, and we in Him.
In our new, royal life in God's family, we are threats to the devil. He retaliates by throwing at us "trials, difficulties, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, and riots" (2 Cor 6:4-5). That's only the beginning. There's also "hard work, sleepless nights, and fastings" (2
Cor 6:5). Then there's persecution and, for a select few, the privilege of martyrdom.
Life in Christ is wild. It is unspeakably joyful (see 1 Pt 1:8) and excruciatingly painful — all at the same time. "It is a fearful" and wonderful "thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb 10:31), Who "is a consuming Fire"
(Heb 12:29). Life without Christ is a wasted life (see 1 Pt 4:3). Life in Christ is the abundant life (Jn 10:10).
Do you "have the guts" to live your baptismal promises and thereby enter into the marvelous mystery of life and love in Christ? If so, repent and renew your baptismal promises. Life will never be the
same.
Prayer: Father, give me the courage to live the joy of the Christian life.
Promise: "But what I say to you is: offer no resistance to injury. When a person strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him the other." —Mt 5:39
Presentation Ministries
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Theological Gems from Emile Merch's Theology of the Mystical Body - selected by Jim and Tyra Arraj
Book V: In Christ
Chapter 15: The Holy Supernatural 457. -- The Supernatural is a union with God.
458. To be is nothing else than to resemble Him, to receive from Him, to depend on Him, and to share in Him with regard to everything that the creature is.
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