Ord.Wk 11th: Tuesday 16th June, 2020 June 16, 2020
Reflection on the WORD
“Gospel Love”: In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims a radical way of loving our enemies. Jesus Himself forgave all who persecuted and crucified Him. His ultimate concern is their conversion, so that they too can gain Eternal Salvation. Do we treat those whom we dislike or have hurt us with such forgiving love?
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9 Days Novena Prayers to Sacred Heart of Jesus starts from Thursday 11th June 2020, leading to Solemnity of Sacred Heart on Friday 19th June 2020.
SACRED HEART OF JESUS NOVENA PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, the needs of your people open your heart in love to each of us. You care for us when we are lost, sympathise with us in lonliness and comfort us in mourning; you are closest to us when we are at our weakest. You love us most when we love ourselves least; you forgive us most when we forgive ourselves least; you call us to spread your love in whatever way we can.
Lord Jesus, your heart is moved with compassion when we are suffering, when we need your help, and when we pray for each other. I ask you to listen to my prayer during this novena, and grant what I ask (make your own request silently). If what I ask is not for my own good or the good of others, grant me always what is best, that I may build up your Kingdom of love in our world. Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.
Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say this to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you; so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he causes his sun to rise on the bad as well as the good, and sends down rain to fall on the upright and the wicked alike.
‘For if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even the tax collectors do as much? And if you save your greetings for your brothers, are you doing anything exceptional? Do not even the gentiles do as much? You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •The Gospel of Jesus that challenged the Jews is timeless and universal. It applies to us and to all peoples.
- •Loving those who love us and doing good to those who are good to us, are natural human attitudes and behaviour.
- •However, in today’s Gospel, Jesus is challenging us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute and harm us. Let us pray that our love for God through our love for others continue to be more radical but Christ-like.