Tuesday 20 June 2023

Today is Tuesday the 20th of June, in the 11th week of Ordinary time.

The monks of the Abbey of Keur Moussa sing: ‘Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’ As they sing…. I listen. I listen with my whole attention, with my mind and with my heart, so that I may really hear the word of God, and keep it.

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Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.


Matthew 5:43-48

‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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. 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 and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

In today’s reading, Jesus tells us to ‘Love our enemies.’

What or who comes to mind when you hear the word enemy?

Maybe there is someone you’ve fallen out with?
Or perhaps someone you struggle to get on with?
Or perhaps someone who challenges your beliefs?

Jesus also says, ‘Pray for those who persecute you.’

Imagine now that you are sitting with Jesus. Can you freely talk with him about this enemy or enemies?


‘If you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others?’ Jesus asks.

Take a few moments to imagine that, with the help of the Lord, you could greet these enemies in a new way. Imagine what might happen.

As you listen to the reading again, ponder what you would need to enable this new greeting of enemies to happen… courage perhaps or forgiveness?

As you end this time of prayer, pray for the people who have come to mind today.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.