Extra Mile

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/061515.cfm) reminds me that God wants us to go the extra mile for others.

Athletes push themselves to the limit, not because they want to hurt themselves, but because they want to improve on their craft. Great ball handlers do not stop there, but practice more in learning how to handle the ball. Great shooters don’t sit on their laurels, but exert extra effort before and after practice to shoot the ball and practice their craft. They strive for greatness, and they are willing to push themselves to go the extra mile to elevate their game to the next level. This is also the attitude God wants from us as we serve him.

In the gospel, Jesus tells us to go the extra mile. Give more of ourselves. Give more to others – despite the hurt, pain or uncomfort it will bring. God wants us to do this not because he wants us to punish or hurt ourselves, but because he wants us to become great servants. He wants us to be more and more like him – willing to die of ourselves and let go of our comfort, and live for him, live for others.

One naturally loves the self. We protect our self. We give our self what we need, what we want. However, God wants us to love him first. God wants us to put him first. With this comes loving and serving others, even at the expense of our own comfort. As we do this, as we love God more and as we love others more, God is pleased because we are becoming more and more like him – and it means we are on the right track in living our lives on earth in preparation to spend eternity with him.

May we be ready and willing to go the extra mile in loving God and serving others.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another week. Thank you for the beautiful reminder as I start my week. Lord, I am sorry for the times I put myself first. Sorry for the times I hold back from loving you and loving others when it is painful to me. Help me live the way you want me to. May I love you and serve you through others, despite all the pain it can bring me. help me go the extra mile for you. amen.

Blessed week!

In Christ,

-g-

--------------------------------------------------------

June 15, 2015

Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 365

Reading 1 2 Cor 6:1-10

Brothers and sisters:

As your fellow workers, we appeal to you

not to receive the grace of God in vain.

For he says:

In an acceptable time I heard you,

and on the day of salvation I helped you.

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;

behold, now is the day of salvation.

We cause no one to stumble in anything,

in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;

on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves

as ministers of God, through much endurance,

in afflictions, hardships, constraints,

beatings, imprisonments, riots,

labors, vigils, fasts;

by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness,

in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech,

in the power of God;

with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;

through glory and dishonor, insult and praise.

We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;

as unrecognized and yet acknowledged;

as dying and behold we live;

as chastised and yet not put to death;

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing;

as poor yet enriching many;

as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2b, 3ab, 3cd-4

R. (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.

Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done wondrous deeds;

His right hand has won victory for him,

his holy arm.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

In the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation by our God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;

break into song; sing praise.

R. The Lord has made known his salvation.

Alleluia Ps 119:105

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

A lamp to my feet is your word,

a light to my path.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Mt 5:38-42J

esus 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.”