"Should anyone press you
into service for one mile,
go with him for two miles."
(Matthew 5:41)
We should aim to transform our hearts and minds, aligning ourselves with the values of God’s kingdom. To love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us is a radical shift from human tendencies. Resisting the natural urge to retaliate when wronged promotes peace over vengeance. Being generous even to those who may not deserve it reflects God’s grace. Let us live out a higher standard of love and forgiveness, as exemplified by Jesus Himself.
38 Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” (Matthew 5:38-42)
In hearts transformed, we seek to dwell, Where God’s own values reign and swell. To love our foes, a task divine, And for our persecutors, pray and shine. Against the grain of human spite, We choose to act in Jesus’ light. No vengeance sought, but peace we seed, A radical shift from earthly greed. Generosity, our call to heed, Reflecting grace in every deed. To those who wrong, forgiveness give, In higher love, we truly live. As Christ Himself once showed the way, We walk in love, come what may. A kingdom’s heart, in us ignite, To live, to love, to shine His light.
Lord Jesus, Shepherd of our souls, Guide our hearts to Your divine goals. Transform our minds to Your will, In Your kingdom’s values, make us still. Teach us to love those who oppose, And for our persecutors, intercede and close. Help us resist the urge to fight, And choose Your peace with all our might. Grant us the strength to be kind, To all, especially the unrefined. May Your grace in us be seen, Generous hearts, pure and clean. Raise us to a higher love’s standard, As Your forgiveness is unbarred. In Your example, may we grow, And Your boundless love, may we show. Amen.
We should be content with what we have. The abuse of power and authority for selfish gain is detestable to God. Despite the temporary success of the wicked, God’s justice will ultimately be served. It is important to stand firm in our convictions despite pressure, exemplifying our faithfulness to God’s commands. Let us seek God’s wisdom, uphold justice, and live righteously in obedience to His Word.
1 Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria, 2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it is close by, next to my house. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or, if you prefer, I will give you its value in money.” 3 Naboth answered him, “The Lord forbid, that I should give you my ancestral heritage.” 4 Ahab went home disturbed and angry at the answer Naboth the Jezreelite had made to him: “I will not give you my ancestral heritage.” Lying down on his bed, he turned away from food and would not eat. 5 His wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, “Why are you so angry that you will not eat?” 6 He answered her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Sell me your vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will give you a vineyard in exchange.’ But he refused to let me have his vineyard.” 7 His wife Jezebel said to him, “A fine ruler over Israel you are indeed! Get up. Eat and be cheerful. I will obtain the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for you.” 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and, having sealed them with his seal, sent them to the elders and to the nobles who lived in the same city with Naboth. 9 This is what she wrote in the letters: “Proclaim a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. 10 Next, get two scoundrels to face him and accuse him of having cursed God and king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” 11 His fellow citizens—the elders and the nobles who dwelt in his city—did as Jezebel had ordered them in writing, through the letters she had sent them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and placed Naboth at the head of the people. 13 Two scoundrels came in and confronted him with the accusation, “Naboth has cursed God and king.” And they led him out of the city and stoned him to death. 14 Then they sent the information to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned to death. 15 When Jezebel learned that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Go on, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite which he refused to sell you, because Naboth is not alive, but dead.” 16 On hearing that Naboth was dead, Ahab started off on his way down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it. (1 Kings 21:1-16)
Contentment in our lot we find, A tranquil heart, a peaceful mind. The abuse of power, a path so grim, To God, such acts are vile and dim. Though wickedness may seem to win, God’s justice will cut through the din. His righteous judgment will prevail, And truth and love will never fail. Stand firm in faith, resist the sway, Of worldly pressures that lead astray. Our convictions strong, we’ll not forsake, God’s commands for heaven’s sake. Seek wisdom from the Lord above, Uphold justice with His love. In obedience to His holy Word, Live righteously, our faith assured.
Lord God Almighty, in Your grace, Help us find contentment in our place. Guard our hearts from greed’s allure, And keep our motives pure and sure. We abhor the selfish gain of power, In Your sight, such acts are sour. Though evil may for a time succeed, We trust Your justice will intercede. Give us strength to stand upright, Holding fast to Your commands so bright. Despite the pressures of this life, May we exemplify faith amidst strife. Grant us wisdom from Your throne, To live justly, as You have shown. In obedience to Your Word we live, To You, our righteous deeds we give. Amen.
The morning prayer ritual signifies the need for consistent communication with God. Approaching God with a reverent heart and humility is crucial for a sincere relationship with Him. Submitting to God’s will and presenting our requests openly invites His guidance in our lives. Acknowledging God’s goodness and expressing gratitude strengthens our faith and trust in Him. Let us cultivate a prayerful attitude, seek God’s righteousness, and trust in His protection against evil.
2 Hearken to my words, O Lord, attend to my sighing. 3 Heed my call for help, my king and my God! (R) 4 At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you. 5 For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with you; 6 the arrogant may not stand in your sight. (R) You hate all evildoers; 7 You destroy all who speak falsehood; the bloodthirsty and the deceitful the Lord abhors. (Psalm 5:2-3, 4-6, 6-7)
At dawn’s first light, we kneel in prayer, A daily ritual, a sacred affair. With hearts so humble, to God we speak, His presence and guidance, we earnestly seek. In reverence, we approach His throne, Our souls laid bare, to Him alone. Submitting to His sovereign will, Our open requests, His plans fulfill. We voice our thanks for goodness shown, In gratitude, our faith has grown. Acknowledging His protective hand, In trust and hope, we firmly stand. A prayerful spirit, let us embrace, Seeking His righteousness, His holy grace. Guard us from evil, Lord, we plead, Your love and mercy, our daily need.
Heavenly Father, as morning breaks, We come to You, for Your mercy’s sake. In this ritual of dawn’s first light, We seek to keep our hearts aright. With reverence and humility, We approach You for the day’s clarity. Submitting to Your divine plan, Openly we bring requests to Your hand. We acknowledge Your goodness so vast, Grateful for Your mercy, forever to last. Strengthen our faith, build our trust, In Your unfailing love, just and just. Cultivate in us a prayerful way, To seek Your righteousness every day. Protect us from evil’s sly deceit, In Your loving arms, we are complete. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Proclamation of the Kingdom
TEACHING ABOUT RETALIATION
Matthew 5:38-42
First Reading
III: Stories of the Prophets
SEIZURE OF NABOTH'S VINEYARD
1 Kings 21:1-29
Responsorial Psalm
First Book of Psalms 1-41
PRAYER FOR DIVINE HELP
Psalm 5:1-13
Related Blogs:
https://progressintheserviceofgod.blogspot.com/2024/06/go-extra-mile.html
https://contentandsatisfied.blogspot.com/2024/06/refused-to-sell.html
https://on-linewithgod.blogspot.com/2024/06/bring-your-plea-expectantly-before-god.html
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
