June 17, Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: 1 Kings 21:1-16; Matthew 5:38-42
The first reading highlights the greed of Ahab, king of Samaria, who covets the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite. Despite offering money or a better garden in exchange, Naboth refuses to sell his ancestral land.
When Ahab shares his frustration with his wife Jezebel, she devises a ruthless plan to eliminate Naboth and seize the vineyard.
Today's Gospel encourages us to respond to evil with extraordinary grace by offering what the opponent least expects. Jesus teaches, "When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other to him as well."
By offering the left cheek, the victim subtly resists humiliation, inviting a right-handed punch that exposes the slap as a violent act.
This response challenges the perpetrator and highlights their cruelty, preserving the victim's dignity.
In real-life situations, a victim's response can vary: they may choose to fight back or to let it go. The stimulus of an offense can provoke either a fight or flight reaction.
Call to Action for Catholic Living: What about us? Do we face challenges bravely, or do we run from them?
Lord, help us to face our challenges with courage. Amen!
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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