An Invitation to Love and Pray
Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 12:44AM We are God's children now, so love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. What a bold invitation in this week's readings. How great is the name of our God who calls us into that challenge! Fr. Dan Riley, ofm, shares a reflection about these readings from the shores of the Pacific Ocean in California before he begins a retreat in solitude.
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Reading:
Matthew 5: 38-48
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 as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand over your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Music:
- "How Great is Your Name" by Cyprian Consiglio (used with permission). Learn more about Cyprian.
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Reader Comments (3)
Always blessed by your reflections. Enjoy the west coast of CA and stay safe!
...and may the clear view of the day that surrounds us also surround any challenge. Thank you for sharing a spectacular California coast.
Fr. Dan,
My prayers will be with you on retreat. May you know that your love to us resonates just as those beautiful waves of the ocean are crashing onto the shore.
I am humbled and grateful for the many ways you nuture our faith.