Rising Sun, Rising Son

Greetings on this the Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9; Psalm 146:2, 5-6ab, 6c- 7, 8-9a; Matthew 5:43-48

Summary

Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. (MT 5:44-45, 48).

Reflection

Rising Sun, Rising Son. The Lord blesses all his children. The Sun rises and the rains come for all. Therefore, let us imitate our Father and do likewise. We are often taught to reserve our good only for the ones we love. OK, then love everyone, be gracious, be poor.

1. Sunshine – give what cheerfulness we can.
2. Rain – rain blessings on all.

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich (2 COR 8:9)..

Personal Reflection

How I shine and rain upon others is in direct proportion to how the Son is rising up – that is, making me holy – within me… or not.

Activity – Practical Example

Here is a classic way to start… buy doughnuts and coffee for the office today, or tomorrow. I am sure there are people you like and dislike. BUT, by giving to all you give them your sunshine and your rain. Then with joy see even the disliked enjoy goodness. Now you get it!

Reading Horizons

Today is the last of the You have heard … But I say to you… this collection of teachings by Jesus are about what we are taught – and correcting the teachings (and our way of thinking). Starting tomorrow, a shift (remember the continuous readings are wonderfully interrupted by Solemnities and Memorials). Starting tomorrow Jesus focuses on not what we are taught being off by a degree but how we act divergent to what is taught when it is taught properly. Tomorrow it begins with Prayer, Fasting and Alms giving. Taught properly but executed poorly.

Do not be afraid!

Remember that you will hear that which you should hear and the Holy Spirit will help you. If it is too much, then you will not need bear it for now. Listen, who doesn’t dread the voice of Mother or Father when we’ve done something wrong and the ‘talk’ is about to begin? But when it is over, the calm of unity and love.

Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself (Wis 3:5).

Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061725.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry