Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress": June 20

'Coin' button: The collection (1st reading); what recompense will you have if you just love those who love you? Tax collectors do that (gospel)

Listen

Look it up/ Presley, Orrall, with verse about how hard it is for us to forgive ("It's what Jesus has in store for you, but I don't..."); this cover avoids the original's bad language. lyrics+ (gospel)

For Psalm 146

Read

2 Cor 8:1-9 The grace of God was given to the churches of Macedonia; they were joyful and generous though poor and afflicted. They gave themselves first to the Lord and through his will to us. May you too be generous and show your love and concern for others, as Christ became poor so you might become rich.

Ps 146:2, 5-9a "Praise the Lord, my soul!" God helps those who hope in him; he secures justice, gives food, frees captives, restores sight, raises those bowed down, loves the just, and protects strangers.

Mt 5:43-48 “You've heard, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say, love your enemies and pray for your persecutors. Your Father makes his sun rise and rain fall on the bad and the good. Even tax collectors love those who love them. Be perfect, like your Father.”

Reflect

Creighton: Everyone loves family and friends, but we followers of Jesus need to go the extra mile, turn the other cheek, and love our enemies. I can dismiss or label people with different views; labels help me deny their humanness, stop me from seeing them as God's children, keep me from understanding why they believe as they do, and blind me to their fears and experience. That widens the divide in our country and world. When I'm with someone who doesn't share my beliefs, I can start building a bridge by asking them why they think and feel as they do. "Being perfect" requires showing compassion even when we don’t want to....

One Bread, One Body: "Givings or mis-givings?" The Father and Son constantly give themselves to each other, and their gift is the Spirit. God gives us graces: his life, love, and power. God gave himself in Jesus who was crucified for us. Jesus continues to give his body and blood in the Eucharist. The Spirit gives us graces called charisms. God gives to all, especially his enemies. We're called to give as God gives. We must give ourselves to God, then to all. "Give according to what you've inwardly decided;... God loves a cheerful giver." May I give my life to God by accepting and living my vocation. We're called to sacrifice so we may have more generously to give....

Passionist: How can I love my enemy if I can barely greet someone who annoys me? How can I love terrorists, rapists, murderers, abusers, plunderers, or the lazy, entitled, or insufferable? Am I really built to let go of fear, anger, and hatred and simply stand with them in love and humility before God? The anger Jesus felt on earth was at hypocrisy and injustice. The call to love reverses the course of history; we're called to love generously and graciously, as God loves us....

DailyScripture.net: "Love and pray for your enemies": God is good to the unjust and the just.; he loves saints and sinners. God teaches us to seek others' greatest good, even our enemies'. Our love must be marked by the kindness and mercy God has shown us, though it's harder when we expect nothing in return. Our prayer for those who do us ill breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love. God's love, power, and grace conquer our hurts, fears, prejudices, and griefs, healing and saving us. 'Perfect" in Aramaic means 'complete' or 'whole,' not lacking in what's essential. God gives us every good gift so we may not lack what we need to do his will. He assures us of his love, mercy, and grace....

Dress to God's Word / "Liturgical Dress"