Challenge Extended

A Reflection on the Gospel for February 23rd, 2020:
​Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Matthew 5.38-48

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, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
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I love these chapters in Matthew’s gospel that we call “The Sermon on the Mount”. There are so many truths, challenges, encouragements, and loving admonishments in Jesus’ words spoken to the crowds in these few pages. Turn the other cheek, love your enemies, give to everyone who begs from you—all challenging reminders of what Jesus says we should do to be “perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect”.


These words are challenging for sure. It may be surprising to hear me say, “I love them” but I’ve always been up for a challenge. It’s through challenges that I have experienced the most growth in my life.
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Of all the words that are spoken by Jesus in these verses, the one phrase that has affected my life most is “pray for those who persecute you”. Praying for someone who has hurt me or who annoys me is hard. A few years ago when my son Ben was in grade two, he was having a hard time getting along with a girl in his class. Day after day he would come home upset because of something she said or did. One night as my husband and I were tucking him in he declared that he wasn’t going to school the next day. At that point I said, “Maybe there is something you can do to make this situation better. I think you should pray for her.” “OH NO, MOM!”, he gasped, “I CAN’T!!!”


So often this is my response to the thought of praying for those who persecute me, “I CAN’T”. By praying for someone, I am essentially saying that I want what’s best for them and sometimes I can’t muster up this emotion. Do I really want what’s best for my enemies or do I want them to hurt like I do?


When I get to a place where I know my thoughts and actions toward someone else are not what Jesus would want them to be, I tell myself it’s time to pray. I simply mention the person by name and let the Holy Spirit do the rest. Nothing has been able to change the atmosphere of my relationships more than this simple action.


My challenge to you is to give it a try.




Maxine Brown

Photo by Barna Kovács on Unsplash

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