Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Kgs 21:17-29; PS 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 11 and 16; Mt 5:43-48
Notes: Our instincts. Our training.
Impulse and training do not represent our highest spiritual aspiration.
The answer to yesterday’s question is: vengeance is Mine, says the Lord. It is not in the domain of humans to judge, it is of G-d. It is the job of Angels to carry out the judgment.
Our domain is contained in the two questions posed to Elijah.
The LORD asked two questions of Elijah in the course of the life of Elijah:
- Elijah, in/at the cave was asked, ‘Why are you here?’ (x 2).
- Elijah, in Samaria, was asked, ‘Do you see?’
This simple reflection is too brief to go deep on the questions.
We are made in the image of God and called to his likeness.
‘Why are you here’ is the same as IMAGE.
‘Do you see’ is the same as LIKENESS.
First reading
After the death of Naboth
Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me out, my enemy?”
“Yes,” he answered.
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his garments
and put on sackcloth over his bare flesh.
He fasted, slept in the sackcloth, and went about subdued.
Then the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite,
“Have you seen that Ahab has humbled himself before me?
Responsorial Psalm
Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Alleluia Verse
I give you a new commandment;
love one another as I have loved you.
Gospel Portion
But I say to you:
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that?
[Does not] your heavenly Father make[s] his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
But I say to you:
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 