June 14, 2022 – Tuesday Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Click here for the readings (https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061422.cfm)

To hit back when we are hurt can sometimes be our immediate response. Even without thinking, a child may hit a playmate when he or she is hurt. Among us adults, this kind of attitude is also evident, as a simple misunderstanding would lead to endless quarrels, lawsuits and even violence. This sounds actually simple and natural yet this has big implications in our relationships.

Yet, Jesus taught his disciples to “love your enemies and pray those who persecute you.” Is it not ridiculous? Our natural response is to hit back thinking that hitting back takes away our pain and anger. However, Jesus teaches the other way around, to love our enemies and pray for those who have hurt us.

But, how could we love those who have hurt us, those who have abused us, those who betrayed us and caused us pain in our life? Our immediate response is to take our revenge. If we cannot express physical violence against them, then, we express it in our words and on how we treat others and ourselves. But most of all, we linger to hatred, to pain and anger.

We do not realize that once we let aggression, violence, hatred and anger to dominate in our hearts and minds, we become prisoners of our own pain. Then, the pain that we endure leads us to feelings of more anger, hatred and bitterness. When we linger to these they will lead us to a heart that seeks only revenge.

However, we when find love and forgiveness in our hearts that begins with accepting and embracing those painful experiences and go on with life, then, we will be free. Loving one’s enemies or those whom we hate is an expression of mercy and forgiveness that will make us free. It will not erase the scar of betrayal or abuse or pain that we endure but we will be able to stand up, to wipe our tears, go on with life and transform pain into kindness.

Thus, for us who have done wrong to others and caused damage, Jesus also calls us to humble ourselves and acknowledge our sins. Our Psalm expresses today a humble heart that fully recognizes ones sins and evil done to others. In recognizing our sins, this also entails responsibility to what we have done. Hence, this how justice and mercy shall meet.

Certainly, the Lord desires that each of us becomes free of guilt so that peace and reconciliation shall be in us. The Lord wants us to be free and not to be prisoners of anger, hatred, bitterness, guilt and violence.

Showing love then, is not about telling the person, that what he/she did was okay and pretend as if nothing happens. No!  Of course not. If we have caused pain and damage, then, that really happened and there is a need for us to acknowledge and take responsibility from such action.

Love and prayer, then, bring us towards reconciliation and healing to our wounded heart so that we will be free and at peace. This means that we choose love and not anger and hatred and we choose God and not evil. Kabay pa.