GOSPEL THOUGHTS
*Ordinary Season : 7th Week - Sunday*
*Gospel : Mt 5:38-48*
*First Reading : Lv 19:1-2, 17-18*
*SECOND READING - 1 Cor 3:16-23*
*Jesus invites us to break the unreasonable and Evil things*
*1) An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth*
This is one of the ancient laws, which has been in force even now in certain forms in certain countries
The earliest known use of the principle appears in the Code of Hammurabi.
This law has its own benefits as well as evil effects
When this principle is strictly followed it becomes an opportunity to take revenge or to pay back the same evil thing, which has been caused by the person
*2) Chain Continues*
When the principle, Eye for an eye and tooth for an tooth, the chain of evil things continues, instead of breaking the Chain
When a person does something evil, if he/she is paid back in the same amount, the relatives or family members or friends may try to pay back the same things, which he/she had done.
So it continues. Theoretically there is no end for such things. Neither in practical level it does not stop at one moment. The revenge continues and it comes out in different forms at different time.
*3) Jesus invites us to break the Chain*
In this particular context, in the Gospel of the Day, Jesus calls us to break the chain of revengeful things by changing the situation or by changing the revengeful attitude into loving attitude
Pay back Love and forgiveness instead of revenge, anger and hatred.
The attitude of Love and forgiveness, breaks the Chain of revengeful attitude and new form of life emerges
So Jesus invites us to break the Chain of hatred and revenge
*4) Jesus broke the Chain of Evil Things*
Jesus didn't follow the Eye for an eye and tooth for an tooth principle
He called for a chance and asked his follower to venture into it.
Before that, He himself practiced the New Law, which is the Law of Love, and showed the path to break the Chain of evil things
He forgave the criminals on the Cross and gave salvation
He brkoe the unreasonable laws in the society and mixed with Sinners and prostitutes
He touched the lepers and healed them
He talked with Samaritan woman and showed the way to lead a good life
By this Jesus gave foundation to a new Chain,
A chain of good works
A chain of merciful works
A chain of service works
A chain of sacrificial works
A chain of forgiving works
A chain of saving life - works
A chain of Loving works
*5) Am I ready to break the Chain?*
The main mission of the follower of Jesus is to follow Jesus and to do what Jesus did
Jesus broke the Chain of unreasonable things and reactions filled with anger, hatred and revenge
If so, am I ready to break the Chain of the power of the Wordly things?
*6) Things needed to break the Chain*
A strong faith in God
A true realisation of what is true and what is false
Determination to bring some change in my life and then in the surroundings
The power of the Scriptures
The power of the Eucharist
The power of reconciliation
The power of service
All these things will help us to break the Chain of unreasonable things
*Think about it*
*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*
*Fr Maxim DSouza*
*Jeppu Seminary*
*Mangalore*
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