18Jun
Tue 		11th Week in Ordinary Time
1 Kgs. 21:17-29
Ps. 51:3-4,5-6a,11,16
Mt. 5:43-48
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We may be tempted to read today's Gospel as something idealistic but not really something to be taken literally. How is it possible to love one's enemies and even pray for them? Clearly, it is not something that comes easily but it is not impossible. Jesus puts as an example God Himself who pours out His love unconditionally and equally on every single person, good and bad alike. Indeed, if we are to look at Jesus' life, God seems to have a bias towards the sinful and the wicked. As Jesus says, if we only love the people who are nice to us, we are no different from the most self-centred people. No, our model has to be God Himself, seen in the actions of Jesus. And, when we come to think about it, who needs our concern and care and our prayers more than the person who causes us and others harm? Who needs to feel God's love so as to bring about change in their lives? Far from being idealistic, this teaching is altogether practical. For us, there really is no alternative.


Give me, O Lord, some of the compassion You showed for those who caused You harm in Your life and to be ready to forgive as You did.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G    W I T H    T H E    C H U R C H    

INTENTION : That the leaders and members of different religions may co-operate in their search for world peace, based on conversion of hearts and brotherly dialogue.

While respecting others' beliefs, all religions are called on to form a spiritual United Nations under the common denominator of belief in God who unites us all. We as believers are asked to place our particular faith at the service of the common human good.

This religious goal of humanism should manifest itself in healthy co-operation and not mere coexistence among all the men and women in the world. The universal criterion for achieving a basic common denominator among all the religions is moving from instinctive and sentimental dimensions to social and spiritual ones. And the influence of religions on millions of people is so deep it can be said that without religious peace there cannot be world peace. "Religion and peace go together: unleashing a war in the name of religion is an obvious contradiction". (John Paul II).

Therefore, we must neutralise our disorderly inclinations: selfishness, pride, ambition, lust for money and power, self-sufficiency, a superiority complex. We cannot be at peace with ourselves if we are not at peace with God.



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