The WORD today reminds me that God wants me to go the extra mile for Him and 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 in learning how to handle the ball better. 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.
We should strive for greatness and push ourselves to go the extra mile as we serve God.
In the gospel, Jesus tells us to go the extra mile. Give more of ourselves. Give more to others – despite the hurt, pain or discomfort 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.
What is service for me? Do I serve God? How? Do I give him my all when I serve him, or do I just give the extras or what is comfortable for me? How can I serve him more? How does he want me to serve 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. Make me more like you. Use me to make your love more alive in this world. amen.
Blessed Week!
In Christ.
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
June 15, 2020
Monday of Week 11; St. Germaine of Pibrac
FIRST READING
1 Kings 21:1-16
Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab, king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to be my vegetable garden, since it is close by, next to my house. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or, if you prefer, I will give you its value in money.” Naboth answered him, “The LORD forbid that I should give you my ancestral heritage.” Ahab went home disturbed and angry at the answer Naboth the Jezreelite had made to him: “I will not give you my ancestral heritage.” Lying down on his bed, he turned away from food and would not eat.
His wife Jezebel came to him and said to him, “Why are you so angry that you will not eat?” He answered her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Sell me your vineyard, or, if you prefer, I will give you a vineyard in exchange.’ But he refused to let me have his vineyard.” His wife Jezebel said to him, “A fine ruler over Israel you are indeed! Get up. Eat and be cheerful. I will obtain the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite for you.”
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and, having sealed them with his seal, sent them to the elders and to the nobles who lived in the same city with Naboth. This is what she wrote in the letters: “Proclaim a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. Next, get two scoundrels to face him and accuse him of having cursed God and king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” His fellow citizensBthe elders and nobles who dwelt in his cityB did as Jezebel had ordered them in writing, through the letters she had sent them. They proclaimed a fast and placed Naboth at the head of the people. Two scoundrels came in and confronted him with the accusation, “Naboth has cursed God and king.” And they led him out of the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent the information to Jezebel that Naboth had been stoned to death.
When Jezebel learned that Naboth had been stoned to death,
she said to Ahab, “Go on, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you, because Naboth is not alive, but dead.” On hearing that Naboth was dead, Ahab started off on his way down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
she said to Ahab, “Go on, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you, because Naboth is not alive, but dead.” On hearing that Naboth was dead, Ahab started off on his way down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 5:2-3ab, 4b-6a, 6b-7
R. (2b) Lord, listen to my groaning.
Hearken to my words, O LORD, attend to my sighing. Heed my call for help, my king and my God!
R. Lord, listen to my groaning.
At dawn I bring my plea expectantly before you. For you, O God, delight not in wickedness; no evil man remains with you; the arrogant may not stand in your sight.
R. Lord, listen to my groaning.
You hate all evildoers. You destroy all who speak falsehood; The bloodthirsty and the deceitful the LORD abhors.
R. Lord, listen to my groaning.
ALLELUIA
Psalm 119:105
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A lamp to my feet is your word, a light to my path.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus 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.”
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