Daily Gospel Reflection
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September 12, 2024
Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”
After graduating from ND, I followed a typical path—grad school and then I worked in banking. I had a nice upwardly mobile trajectory. Then, I had a spiritual experience that changed everything. I left my company and entered a monastery, where I have lived for over 7 years.
During that time, I learned the wisdom of the Christian monastic tradition, which I now try to make accessible and actionable through my online ministry, Monk Mindset. One monastic story in particular reminds me of today’s gospel.
There was once a Desert Father who spent his days in prayer, fasting, and labor. One day, while he was at his hermitage, a thief came and stole one of his books. Books were precious in those days, especially for a monk, as they were costly and vital for spiritual nourishment.
Instead of reacting with anger or trying to stop the thief, he did something unexpected. He quickly grabbed another book, ran after the thief, and called out to him. When the thief stopped, the Desert Father, with genuine concern, offered him the second book, saying, “Here, take this one too, for it is of great value.”
The thief, astonished by the monk’s kindness and lack of resentment, was deeply moved. The thief then returned all the stolen items, repented of his wrongdoing, and began his own journey of spiritual transformation.
No doubt Jesus’ sayings in this gospel are hard—extremely hard and definitely not practical. If you’re like me, it’s easy to read this and say “Well, I can’t really do that.” This, of course, may be absolutely true, but with God’s help, we can definitely do some of it, even today.
Today, think of one situation in your life where you can be more radically generous to a particular person based on Jesus’ guidance and make a private commitment to do one small action to live this out.
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
Victoria was a widow who was comforted by a vision of Mary and went on to found a religious order for nuns in 17th century France.
She was born in Genoa in 1562, and felt a call to give her life to God as a nun, but followed the wishes of her parents and married at the age of 17. Her husband joined Victoria in charitable works, and the couple bore six children together.
Her husband died after nine years of marriage, and his passing cast Victoria into a depression. She despaired of being able to care for her children alone. When a nobleman of her city asked her to marry him, she considered it seriously for the security of her children.
Then she received a vision in which Mary appeared to her and assured Victoria of her protection for her family. “I will care for your household,” Mary said, “Live quietly without worrying. All I ask is that you will entrust yourself to me and devote yourself to the love of God above all else.”
Victoria made a vow of chastity and gave her time equally to her children, to prayer, and to caring for the poor. She led her family in living simply and prayerfully.
When her children had grown and established their own lives, Victoria began a new community of religious sisters dedicated to Mary. One of her friends offered to purchase a building for their motherhouse, and Victoria and ten other women began their life together in 1604.
A second house was established eight years later when more women joined the community, and soon afterwards the order spread to France. Victoria spent the rest of her life leading that community of sisters; she died in 1617 and her relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica. Her image is used here with permission from Catholic.org.
Blessed Victoria Strata, you were the widow who faithfully raised your children and then raised new convents, pray for us!