Tag: galatians5:14

One Minute Reflection – 18 June – Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time, Year B – Today’s Gospel Matthew 5:38-42

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil.   But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also...”Matthew 5:38-39

REFLECTION – “Whoever keeps the whole Law but falls short in one particular has become guilty in respect to all of it” (Jas 2:10).   What is this one law if not true love, perfect charity?   It is of this that Saint Paul also said : “For the whole Law is fulfilled in one statement, namely:  ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’” (Gal 5:14)…

For true charity is patient in adversity and moderate in prosperity;  strong in painful suffering, joyful in good works;  completely safe in temptation.   It is very gentle among genuine brothers, very patient among the false.   It is innocent in the midst of snares, groans in the midst evildoing and breathes naturally in the truth.   It is chaste in the married woman, Susannah, in the widow, Anna, in the virgin, Mary (Dn 13:1f.;  Lk 2:36). It is humble in Peter’s obedience and free in Paul’s arguments.   It is human in the witness of Christians, divine in the forgiveness of Christ.   For true charity, beloved brethren, is the soul of the whole of Scripture, the strength of prophecy, the structure of knowledge, the fruit of faith, the wealth of the poor, the life of the dying.   So keep it faithfully;  cherish it with all your heart and all the strength of your soul (cf Mk 12:30).”…St Caesarius of Arles (470-543), monk and Bishop (Sermons to the people, no. 23, 4-5, which draws its inspiration from Saint Augustine)

PRAYER – King of heaven and earth, Lord God, rule over our hearts this day.   Sanctify us and guide our every thought, word and deed according to Your commandments.   That we may grow in love, patience, strength, gentleness, forgiveness and all the ways of our guide, Your Son, Jesus Christ our Saviour.   Holy Mother Mary, pray for us and keep us ever in your care that we may not go astray.   We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, one God with You and the Holy Spirit, forever, amen.