Today’s Gospel challenges us:
love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you…and lend expecting nothing back.
We are presented with a challenge to live as disciples and stewards. An intentional disciple is one who doesn’t feed into their enemies agenda, rather finds mercy and grace. They are not interested in mediocre faith, rather they seek to pray more, serve more, and give more. When challenged they accept, take to the streets and talk the talk, but more importantly walk the walk of the Gospel message. This Gospel rings loud and clear the mission assigned to us. It is not easy. It is not one we can take lightly. However, it is a mission worthy of everything we’ve got.
In light of today’s culture, this challenge is ever-present in our day-to-day lives. It doesn’t take me long on Facebook to run into negative posts concerning human dignity and decency. Today, let’s take this Gospel as a challenge to live our faith courageously. What does courageous look like? Perhaps it is sharing a meal with someone who needs a friend, passing up the extracurricular activity to make it to Adoration, making the time everyday to pray as a family or perhaps it is simply sharing a piece of faith formation online with your friends.
If you remain silent, silent in your invitation to others, silent in your witness of the Gospel, silent in your own home…what credit is that to you?
Katie Price is the Coordinator of Stewardship for the Cathedral and the Diocese of Springfield.