PRI Reflections on Scripture | Thursday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel

Luke 6:27-38

Jesus said to his disciples: "To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.

“Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you."

Reflection

Jesus is offering a very important truth when he's talking to his disciples about generosity and giving to people who can't give it back to you. He's saying that there's a mystery that you don't understand, everything is connected. You are connected to your brothers and sisters. They're connected with you. And when you have negative feelings toward them, when you hate them, for some reason.

The oneness brings that back to you, and you receive the negativity that you've given out. It's an incredible insight. It reminds us of the importance of a disposition of trust, generosity, and love. And when we offer it to others, it will come back in abundance.

Closing Prayer 

Father, we sometimes think the things that we think in our head are not really dangerous. We may be condemning someone, hating someone, or thinking that as long as I don't act that way, it's going to be fine. It's the opposite. What's in your heart is your intention. If your attention is negative toward anyone, it is bringing negativity into your very soul. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross