Push one tab key and you make a phone call. Have a question? Push a key, type in the question on your device, get an answer right away! Presto! Almost magical! Quick, quick, quick! So many little life situations can be resolved very quickly. We hardly have to think, research, or study in the usual, everyday challenges of life. So much is ready at our fingertips.
Some of our reactions are almost reflexes. By contrast, in the gospel passage read at Mass today (Matthew 5:38-42), Jesus tells his followers to think again, in new ways. Instead of being combative, minimalistic, or stingy, disciples should be forgiving, generous, and even open to helping others who are threatening.
Tomorrow’s gospel reading, from the same chapter, challenges us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us! Disciples are not supposed to get even! Think again! Don’t push the revenge button! Create a personal love website, or “heart site”.
What is all this rethinking going to require on our part? We have to look to Jesus and his example instead of so many modern movies, computer games, and television shows that are full of drama, excitement, and often vicious visual effects! We all can be lovingly creative and unselfish. We can take some extra time to think before responding to others who can be challenging. We can go deeper into our hearts and remember what Jesus did for each of us. We might work to rid ourselves of uncharitable habits with which we have become conveniently familiar. Praying with an open mind, we can ask the Holy Spirit to shine new light on our life situations.
Psalm 37 may be helpful. Check out these verses:
Be not vexed over evildoers,
nor jealous of those who do wrong;
For like grass they quickly wither,
and like green herbs they wilt. (1-2)
Give up your anger, and forsake wrath;
be not vexed, it will only harm you. (8)
Turn from evil and do good,
that you may abide forever;
For the Lord lives what is right,
and forsakes not his faithful ones. (27-28)
And Psalm 41:2-3 reassures us:
Happy is he who has regard for the lowly and
the poor;
in the day of misfortune the Lord will
deliver him.
The Lord will keep and preserve him;
he will make him happy on the earth,
and not give him over to the will of his enemies.
Our good example can be evangelical! Love can be contagious!
†††
The photograph is by Rob Hampson Unsplash.
The psalm is from the New American Bible, Oxford University Press, New York, 1990.
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.