Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 17, 2019
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.”
“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.” MT 5:41-42
Jesus’ words shocked his audience at the time and continue to challenge us today. The Romans could demand that a local carry their heavy bags and equipment for 1000 paces – one mile. This was a reminder of the power they held over the native Jews in Palestine. Many of Jesus’ fellow Jews loathed this oppressive law. Yet, Jesus told them to go ‘the extra mile’ when pressed into an unjust service. Jesus asked them to walk with their oppressors.
Jesus instructs his disciples to serve not only their neighbors or their enemies but anyone who asked of them. Anyone.
My colleagues often interrupt my work flow. Sometimes it drives me crazy, and I just need to shut my door. Once, when my door was shut, a coworker tentatively poked her head in because she needed to talk. Was it a good time for me? No, I was swamped in deadlines. When I put aside my work, however, and gave her my time, I realized that she desperately needed a compassionate listener at that moment. If I had turned her away, I would have never been able to see her distress or offer her comfort. I would have brushed her aside as just another pesky interruption.
Jesus invites us to set aside our own tasks and focus on the needs of others. He asks us to do this, especially when it is inconvenient, annoying, or unfair.
The next time someone asks a favor of us, let us leave our own desires aside and give of ourselves beyond what is requested to give to the one who asks of us and go the extra mile.
Prayer
Lord, please grant us the desire to want to learn how to forgive as you do. When we beg for forgiveness, you readily grant it. All is wiped clean, all is forgotten. We put our trust in your generosity. Amen.
Saint of the Day
St. Hervé was the son of a traveling bard, a member of the court of one of the Frankish kings. Hervé was born blind, in the early sixth century. Even though he lacked sight, Hervé lived with great joy. He took after his father and began to sing as a bard and troubadour. He lived near the French city of Plouvien as a hermit with his disciple and companion, Guiharan.
Hervé became famous for his power to cure animals—wild and tame—and he tamed a wolf that was prowling the surrounding countryside. Hervé is often shown with his wolf, as legend has it the beast accompanied him everywhere.
Once, Hervé's wolf devoured the ox that Hervé kept as a draft animal. The pious Hervé began to eloquently preach a sermon, begging the wolf to aid him in caring for the crops. From that day forward, the wolf took over for the ox in pulling the plow for Hervé. Hervé's community of disciples grew, and a peaceful community of poet-hermits tended their land outside Plouvien until Hervé died in 556 AD.
St. Hervé, who, even though blind, saw God's love in all creatures—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Hervé is available for use under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Last accessed March 6, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
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