Sunday, June 13, 2004

3:14 am

The Catholic Calendar for Monday, June 14, 2004
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture from Monday's Liturgy of the Word:
1 Kings 21:1-16
Psalm 5:2-3,7
Matthew 5:38-42

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

I must admit that of all Christ's teachings I struggle the most with His teaching in today's gospel. The idea of turning the other cheek always sounds good in theory, but in practice it's a different story.

When I hear of mass murderers I automatically think they should be sent straight to the electric chair. When I hear of rapists I think the same should be done to them. When I hear of churches being burned I think we should burn the property of the arsonist. Likewise, thieves should have all their property taken away, terrorists should be terrorized and batterers should be beaten. These are my first responses.

But then I use a little trick I learned. I reflect, just briefly, on the story of the woman about to be stoned for committing adultery and upon the words of our Lord when he had finished dismissing her accusers: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more." My God does not condemn, so neither should I.

Easy? No, definitely not. But I have the perfect example to follow in my Lord Jesus Christ.

Don Claunch, SFO
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