Saturday 24 February 2018
St Praetextatus.
Deuteronomy 26:16-19. Psalm 118(119):1-2, 4-5, 7-8. Matthew 5:43-48.
Happy are those who follow the law of the Lord! — Psalm 118(119):1-2, 4-5, 7-8.
‘Love your enemies …’
Perhaps a scene from Les Misérables might help make the full impact of this radical teaching felt.
Out of kindness, the local bishop had lodged a dangerous criminal. Yet during the night, the criminal ran away with the bishop’s silverware. The following day the bishop finds the police at his door with the thief. The man had been caught red handed!
Let us take a moment to ponder what we would do if we were in the bishop’s place …
In the story, the bishop admonishes the man for having forgotten some of the silverware, runs upstairs and fetches the rest! The thief is astounded – not only does the bishop let him off the hook, but he also gives him more! He is treated with love, a total change of heart is evoked and the man goes on to become a saint.
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