Reflection for June 15 Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 5:38-42

Gospel: Matthew 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."

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Reflection:

What do we gain by taking revenge on those who have wronged and hurt us? 

Nothing—except deeper wounds, greater hostility, and further division. Revenge may seem to satisfy our desire for justice, but in reality, it often prolongs the pain and perpetuates the cycle of hurt.

Take disagreements and quarrels as an example. When we choose to retaliate for the hurt that has been inflicted upon us, we only fuel a vicious cycle of conflict and resentment with no end in sight. 

This is the fruit of unforgiveness. But what if we choose the higher path—the path of humility and forgiveness? What if, instead of returning hurt for hurt, we respond with mercy and understanding? Then peace can begin to take root, because hatred and bitterness no longer have a place in our hearts.

Being humble is not easy. Forgiving is not easy. Letting go of our desire to retaliate when we have been wounded is not easy. Yet this is precisely the path that Jesus invites us to walk. 

Let us gaze upon Him on the cross and reflect on the wounds that our sins have inflicted upon His sacred body. Despite our failures, He chose to forgive. Despite our unworthiness, He humbled Himself out of love for us. Imagine where we would be today if He had withheld His mercy from us.

The Lord teaches us invaluable lessons about humility and forgiveness—lessons that enable us to build bridges instead of walls, restore relationships instead of destroying them, and bring healing instead of further pain. 

The Gospel message is not difficult to read or understand, but it can be challenging to live. Yet when we reject hostility, embrace humility, and allow Christ to transform our hearts, we become capable of putting His teachings into practice.

May we never forget that every act of forgiveness reflects the heart of Christ and every act of humility draws us closer to Him. As recipients of God's boundless mercy, we are called to extend that same mercy to others.

When we are hurt, rejected, or treated unfairly, will we choose the path of anger and retaliation, or will we allow the love of Christ to move us toward humility, forgiveness, and reconciliation? And if Jesus has forgiven us so completely, what is preventing us from offering that same forgiveness to those who have wounded us?– Marino J. Dasmarinas