June 17, 2024 – Monday of the 11th Week in Ordinary 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, offer no resistance to one who is evil.b
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.”
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Fr. Burke’s video for June 17 – https://youtu.be/_kLwePtO56Q
Monday at St. Isaac Jogues
- 6pm – Young Adult Group in the Sacred Heart Room (ages 18-30)
- 7pm – The Chosen, Season 3, Episode 4 in the Parish Center (all ages)
It is not always easy to put into practice Jesus’s teaching. Our natural reaction when we are hurt or offended is to strike back and make the other person feel what we feel. Jesus tells us to “offer no resistance, turn the other [cheek],” go the extra mile, give until it hurts. This is easier said than done.
In these twenty-two years as a priest, I have not always lived up to these teachings given by the Lord. I have failed many times. However, I have found that when I practice these difficult teachings there is so much grace and peace that comes with it. We must learn to discipline our will and intellect. We cannot simply react to others, but we must be people of prayer, prudence, and self-restraint.
How do we learn to forgive someone who has hurt us? I like to sit in front of a crucifix and meditate upon the Lord’s words from the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” It also helps me to realize that few people wake up and think, “How can I make your life miserable today?” One of my best friends taught me that if someone offends me, seek to understand from where they are coming. Often there is miscommunication, a lack of understanding, or that person is simply acting out of their own woundedness.
When we do not forgive, it only hurts us. It is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to be hurt. Forgiveness is a key to our healing. That is why Jesus spoke so often of the importance of forgiveness.
How is the Lord asking you to put these teachings into practice?
Is there someone that tests your patience?
Have you been able to forgive someone who has hurt you?
Ask the Lord for the grace to love and forgive those who hurt you, to be patient with those who try your patience, to give until it hurts. Only the grace of God helps us to see, love and forgive as God does.
Have a blessed day,
Fr. Burke
Fr. Burke’s blog – https://frburke23.wordpress.com
Fr. Burke’s YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOt-ntVKl9ko98Yd7uiuWOA
Fr. Burke’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/fr_burke_masters?igsh=eXpmN3p3bWxtcWl6&utm_source=qr
St. Isaac Jogues Church website – https://sij.net/
St. Isaac Jogues parish YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8oDHtwLm7E_seoCj1ndzKA
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Prayer schedule for Monday, June 17, 2024 (all times Central)
7:00am – Mass with Fr. Raed
7:15am – Fr. Burke will be on Relevant Radio
5:00pm – Mass with Fr. Burke
5:30pm – Confessions with Fr. Burke & Fr. Raed
6:00pm – Young Adult Ministry – anyone ages 18-30 is welcome to join Fr. Burke for food, a short video, a discussion on faith, and fellowship. Join us in the Sacred Heart Room.
7:00pm – The Chosen, Season 3, Episode 4 – We will watch the episode entitled “Clean, Part 1”, discuss it at our tables, and then have a large group discussion. All are welcome with no registration required.
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17 de junio de 2024 – Lunes de la 11ª Semana del Tiempo Ordinario
San Mateo 5:38-42
Ustedes han oído que se dijo: Ojo por ojo y diente por diente.
Pero yo les digo que no hagan frente al que les hace mal: al contrario, si alguien te da una bofetada en la mejilla derecha, preséntale también la otra.
Al que quiere hacerte un juicio para quitarte la túnica, déjale también el manto; y si te exige que lo acompañes un kilómetro, camina dos con él.
Da al que te pide, y no le vuelvas la espalda al que quiere pedirte algo prestado.
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Fr. Burke’s video for June 17 – https://youtu.be/_kLwePtO56Q
Monday at St. Isaac Jogues
- 6pm – Young Adult Group in the Sacred Heart Room (ages 18-30)
- 7pm – The Chosen, Season 3, Episode 4 in the Parish Center (all ages)
No siempre es fácil poner en práctica la enseñanza de Jesús. Nuestra reacción natural cuando estamos heridos o ofendidos es la venganza y hacer que la otra persona sienta lo que sentimos. Pero Jesús nos dice que “no hagan frente al que les hace mal, preséntale también la otra mejilla,” sigue adelante, da hasta que te duela. Esto es más fácil decirlo que hacerlo.
En estos veintidós años que tengo de sacerdote, no siempre he llevado a cabo estas enseñanzas dadas del Señor. Sin embargo, me ha dado cuenta que cuando practico estas enseñanzas difíciles, hay tanta gracia y paz. Tenemos que aprender a disciplinar la voluntad y el intelecto. No podemos simplemente reaccionar a los demás, tenemos que ser personas de oración, prudencia y autolimitación.
¿Cómo aprendemos a perdonar a alguien que nos ha lastimado? Me gusta sentarme frente a un crucifijo y meditar en las palabras del Señor de la cruz: “Padre, perdónalos porque no saben lo que hacen”. También me ayuda a darse cuenta de que pocas personas se despiertan y piensan, “¿Cómo puedo hacerte miserable hoy?” Uno de mis mejores amigos me enseñó que si alguien me ofende, busque entender de dónde vienen. A menudo hay falta de comunicación, falta de entendimiento, o esa persona simplemente está actuando de sus propias heridas.
Cuando no perdonamos, solo nos duele. Es como beber veneno y esperar que la otra persona salga lastimada. El perdón es la clave de nuestra sanación. Es por eso que Jesús habló tan a menudo de la importancia del perdón.
¿Cómo te esta pidiendo el Señor que pongas estas enseñanzas en práctica?
¿Hay alguien que ponga a prueba tu paciencia?
¿Has sido capaz de perdonar a alguien que te ha lastimado?
Pídale al Señor la gracia de poder amar y perdonar a aquellos que lo hierren, a ser paciente con aquellos que retan su paciencia, dar hasta que duela. Solo la gracia de Dios nos ayuda a ver, amar y perdonar como Dios lo hace.
Que tengas un buen día,
Fr. Burke
Fr. Burke’s blog – https://frburke23.wordpress.com
Fr. Burke’s YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOt-ntVKl9ko98Yd7uiuWOA
Fr. Burke’s Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/fr_burke_masters?igsh=eXpmN3p3bWxtcWl6&utm_source=qr
St. Isaac Jogues Church website – https://sij.net/
St. Isaac Jogues parish YouTube channel – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8oDHtwLm7E_seoCj1ndzKA
Fr. Burke Masters 