Reflection for Monday, June 17, 2013: 11th week in Ordinary Time.

Abstract

"Today is the day of salvation." So says St. Paul to the Corinthians in today's First Reading. He then proceeds to list a number of experiences through which he has endured. There are many and it is worth reading them for yourself: 2Corinthians 6: 1-10 (click here).||It does not matter what life throws at us, "...glory or dishonor, insult or praise. We may be treated as deceitful and yet are truthful; as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things."|Whew! Where do I sign on? Oops! I've already signed on through Baptism, Easter, and most recently Pentecost.|Jesus, in today's Gospel reading, has a few other messages about being one of his followers and these are tough: "Offer no resistance to one who is evil." Does that mean attempting to separate those evil deeds from the doers, a particularly tough one for me? Afraid so.|"Give over your cloak and your tunic to one who asks": Does that mean paying taxes that I feel are unjust or will not benefit me directly, but will add to the common good? Afraid so.|"Should you be pressed into service, go twice the distance": Even when it's "not in my job description"? Maybe.|Finally, I invite you to reflect on someone you know who despite dealing with severe issues--illness, disability, hardship of another kind--presents him/herself as joyful, serene, approachable. What is one thing about that person that you admire and are you willing to seek ways to imitate the characteristic?|In other words: Attend to this "day of salvation" that we are all offered. As I read on a poster: Christianity is not for wimps! (Nor is any other faith that you choose to follow more deeply.)