Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection June 16, 2025
Monday – 11th Week in Ordinary Time
16th June 2025 (Monday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10
Brethren: Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
Psalm 98:1, 2b, 3ab, 3cd-4 R.(2a)
R/. The Lord is compassionate and gracious
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light for my path
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42
At that time: 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 the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Monday – 11th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: The ways of the world are always contrary to the ways of God. It really needs a change of heart to rise above the ways of the world, and courage of the Spirit to be loyal to the ways of God
1. The ways of the world are always in contrast to the ways of God. In such a context, Jesus invites us to follow a new set of rules, a reversal of the values. It is no more grudge, revenge, and retaliation but forgiveness and reconciliation. It is no more an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
2. Rather it is offering another cheek as well to the one who strikes on one cheek. It is no more avarice or profit-seeking, but concern for the needs of the other. It goes even to the extent of forgoing one’s own due and rightful gain. Thus, it is to be generous enough to give away the cloak as well to the one who sues for a coat, or to give readily to the one who begs or borrows.
3. This is exactly what Paul and the other apostles lived: they suffered but they always rejoiced in the Lord. They were persecuted but remained strong and loyal. They were slandered but stood truthful. They were despised as poor but they were so rich spiritually and enriched others.
4. As Paul enumerates in the first reading from his 2nd letter to the Corinthians (6. 1-10), what they faced was a series of afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labours, and hunger. But what they showed was great endurance by the Holy Spirit, power of God, genuine love, knowledge, forbearance, kindness and truthful speech.
5. They fought and conquered the forces of evil, not by revenge and retaliation but with the weapons of righteousness. They put no obstacle in any one’s way. They never conducted themselves blameworthy in their ministry. But they presented themselves as commendable servants of God.
My Practice: The value and meaning of life especially of a disciple of Christ is not in aggression and retaliation, but in forbearance, reconciliation and condescendence
