Sunday Micro Retreat – February 19, 2023
As you begin your time of reflection, try to realize that you are standing on holy ground and in the presence of God, who wants to talk to you and listen to you.
Make the Sign of the Cross. The Holy Spirit is opening your heart and mind so the Word of God that you are about to read can flourish in you for God's glory. Pray that you continue to work with his grace. Let the words or your prayer flow from your mind through your heart. Try to "feel" what you are saying.
Is there anything you would like to ask God now? What graces does your heart desire?
Talk to God about it.
Today, we ask for the grace of loving everyone, especially our enemies.
Now read the Sunday's Gospel:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer.
But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, 40 and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat
as well, 41 and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone
who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even
the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the
gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
(Matt 5:38-48)
The Word of God touches everyone differently. If there is anything that really stood out for you in this reading, meditate on it.
Go to the depths of your heart and listen to what God is trying to say to you.
Next, let's spend some time reflecting on the following point:
1.Do not resist an evildoer
Through this statement, Jesus calls his listeners to show moral strength. He proposes a response that prefers embracing suffering over extending the spiral of violence.
Try to recall the last situation when you experienced injustice. How did you feel about it? What was your response? Were you morally strong enough to absorb it? or did you respond with a vengeance?
How do you think other people view your responses to challenging situations? Can they see a forgiving person in what you say and in what you do? or do they see someone who is like a judge with no mercy? who is hostile?
Try to look at your responses to challenging situations through the eyes of your parent/spouse/child/friend... etc. What kind of behaviour wins: your generosity or punishment?
2. Pray for those who persecute you
Praying for those who hurt you is not easy; however, it shows the true orientation of your heart. If your mind and heart are focused on God, you will become a channel of grace for the person who is hurting you.
Once again, bring to memory the most painful moment that you have experienced. Who were the people involved in this situation? What was the source of this painful memory? Are you reconciled now with all involved in this particular
situation? or are you still in a "silent mode," not talking to each other, maybe for many years now? Have you ever prayed for your offenders? Have you ever prayed that God rewards them with mercy and sainthood? If you have never
prayed like that, ask yourself: why not? If you are able to pray for the sainthood of your enemies, thank God - it is a great grace that you have received.
You may end this retreat by reaching out to someone who was a source of pain for you in the past. Do something nice for that person.
It is good to keep a personal journal in which reflections that stood out for you are recorded. The outcome of those Sunday Micro Retreats is
good material that you can talk about in your spiritual direction.
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