Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 10, 2020
Jesus said to his disciples:
“But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.”
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
As I read the gospel for today, the same question kept coming to mind: “What does it look like to love your enemies in these times?” In the middle of a presidential election cycle, the political polarization in our country is readily apparent. We find it hard to agree even in small ways, and every instance of disagreement is a further reason to tune out or even demonize the person who opposes me.
And yet, Jesus’ call in this gospel is clear. We are not called to ignore our enemies (or block them on social media). We’re not called to build an echo chamber, where we only hear from like-minded individuals (for even sinners do the same). Pope Francis has encouraged us to build a “culture of encounter,” which asks us to truly see others. Not to ignore them, or vilify them for their opinion, but to encounter them – to come to know the person, their wants, desires, and their hearts.
In the Masters of Divinity program, I was given a set of rules for living in community with others. As I pondered how I might love others, the rule that came to mind was “assume goodwill.” This principle asks us to extend the same courtesy we reflexively give to ourselves – the presumption that we have the good in mind when we think, speak, and act. When I see someone as a point of view that I oppose, it is easy to ignore, belittle, or demonize that person. But assuming goodwill forces me to dig deeper, to see what is at the heart of the other person’s ideas, and to encounter him or her, made in the image and likeness of God.
This is the type of true encounter–without judgement, without condemnation–that today’s gospel invites us to experience. May we have the strength to truly see others, to assume goodwill, and love them as well.
Prayer
Lord God, whose love is our forgiveness, teach us that forgiveness is not about you changing hearts but about us changing from a rock-hard heart to a human heart. Jesus on the cross said what we too should say of everyone who offends us: “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” Let us love the sinner but hate the sin. Love recognizes that loved people love people and only hurt people hurt people. Help us to comprehend your fatherly love that is your merciful forgiveness.
Saint of the Day
St. Nicholas of Tolentino was a priest in 13th century Italy who is known for his miracles among the poor and neglected.
His parents were childless until they visited a shrine of St. Nicholas and asked for a son who would serve God. The couple received a boy and named him after the saint who had helped them conceive.
As a child, Nicholas imitated hermits and would hide in the caves near his home and pray. As he matured, he heard God calling him to dedicate his life to prayer and reflection, and when he heard an Augustinian priest preaching one day, he resolved to join that order of priests.
While in formation, he complemented his theological studies by distributing food to the poor at the monastery gate. His first miracle happened when he placed his hand on the head of a sick boy and said, “The good God will heal you.” The boy was instantly cured. A few years later he was ordained a priest, and became famous for using the same words to heal a woman who was blind.
He settled in a monastery in Tolentino, and spent the rest of his life there preaching in the streets. Though the city was torn by civil discord, he raised people’s attention to heaven. Many were moved to conversion upon hearing him.
One man, however, was not moved. He was used to a wayward, evil life, and whenever he came upon Nicholas preaching in the streets, he would try to shout him down and disrupt the crowd’s concentration. Nicholas refused to be intimidated—he was resolute and patient, and this steadfastness began to have an effect on the man’s heart.
One day, the man brought friends to fight with swords in the street near Nicholas as he preached, so as to cause people to scatter. Nicholas persisted, though, and the man put down his sword and began to listen. Afterwards, he apologized to Nicholas and began to reform his life.
Soon after this, Nicholas became a sought-after confessor and would sometimes spend the whole day hearing confessions. He also went into the slums of Tolentino to care for the poor and sick—many stories of conversions and healings were attributed to his work. “Say nothing of this,” Nicholas would say after an extraordinary event due to his intercession. “Give thanks to God, not to me. I am only an earthen vessel, a poor sinner.”
Nicholas spent the last year of his life suffering from an illness that killed him. He got up from his bed only once, to hear the confession of one who was burdened with a great sin, but refused to speak to anyone but Nicholas. He died on this date in 1305 and his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.
St. Nicholas is patron saint of babies, those who work on the water, and those who are dying.
St. Nicholas of Tolentino, you were the monk who inspired conversions with miracles and preaching, pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Nicholas of Tolentino is in the public domain. Last accessed April 3, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
