The Extra Mile
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Read this Gospel passage aloud to the family
Matthew 5:38-42- Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. 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. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
(Parent) Reread this part a few times aloud
“You have heard that is was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.”
(Parent) Read this meditation aloud to the family
This can be a confusing Gospel. Is Jesus saying that we are supposed to stand back and let evil trample over good? As always, we have to read this particular sentence in light of the whole Gospel. Would Jesus say that or do that in the rest of the Gospel? No! And neither should we. We have an obligation to stand up very strongly against evil for what is good.
Though we should stand in great and active opposition to evil, we shouldn’t think that our power against, or opposition to, or success over evil is what will win the victory against it. Jesus has already won the victory over evil definitively. What seemed to be evil’s victory over good when He hung dead on the Cross, was actually evil’s undoing. The Resurrection proved the great mystery that God has the power to use everything, even evil, for the good. In this light, today’s Gospel makes sense. Therefore, accept the suffering that comes from evil… God has the power to use it for infinite good.
As a family, pray a portion of the Rosary together (very short if children are young) reflecting on the Scripture passage above. (Optional: allow a brief time for discussion or questions from children concerning their thoughts and prayer.)
Reminder for Parents: Pier is just meant to be a jumping off point. The real goal is that you pray & eventually use the fruits of your personal prayer as the content of your family’s prayer. Duc in altum.
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