Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection June 17, 2025
Tuesday – 11th Week in Ordinary Time
17th June 2025 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
Brethren: We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Psalm 146:2, 5-6ab, 6c- 7, 8-9a R.(1b)
R/. My soul, give praise to the Lord
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. A new commandment I give to you, says the Lord, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Matthew 5:43-48
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 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, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – 11th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: The outstanding difference between God and man is the depth and extent of God’s mercy which forgives, loves and helps even the greatest enemy
1. We are living in a world of three dominant trends, namely, comparison, competition and imitation. These prevail even from childhood itself. It can be with regard to anything, be it a simple dress, education, opportunities, skill and talent, intelligence and competence, social status, earning money, power, position, popularity, etc.
2. And everyone tries for excellence and perfection. But this is mostly to outsmart and out-beat others. Unfortunately, these tendencies to compare, compete and imitate are mostly with regard to the worldly things and self-interests. Accordingly, pursuit for perfection often degenerates into selfishness, jealousy, greed, deception and corruption.
3. It is in such a context, Jesus is proposing today the best and perfect model to compare with, compete with and imitate. It is God the Father Himself. “Be merciful AS your heavenly Father is merciful”. “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect”.
4. God has a contrasting and disconcerting style of functioning. He loves and forgives even the most destructive enemy. He is benevolent and equitable to “let His rain and sunshine upon all, both the good and the bad”.
5. Therefore, our model is God Himself in His compassion, mercy, and perfection. We are invited to put on God’s own mindset. That is, to cultivate a selfless love even to embrace the enemy, to bless them, to pray for them, to be courteous to all and to help all, to show equity toward all without any discrimination.
6. This is the excellence for which St Paul praises the churches of Macedonia, where he refers to their generosity to support others
My Practice: Justice may demand what is lawful, rightful, and reasonable. But love impels us to be merciful and compassionate. A “dry justice” condemns, while a “fertile charity” condones
