Daily Gospel Reflection for June 16, 2025

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Reflection by Virginia Pillars

Today's Gospel: Matthew 5:38-42

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life. Jesus quoted from Exodus 21:23-25. Then He gave us a new set of rules. Not only should we not seek revenge or retaliation when someone hurts us or our loved ones, but we also should not resist the evil inflicted upon us.

Say what? If someone slaps my face, offer the other cheek? This seems contrary to human nature. We want to protect ourselves from getting hurt. How do we implement the ginormous new way Christ gave us? It feels like an unattainable goal.

As I study the Scriptures, I understand we do not have to do this ourselves. I have read many times that God will not leave us alone. He is with us always until the end of time. He never changes. Jesus tells us if we are burdened to take His yoke and learn from Him, and He will give us rest. God’s grace will help us accept the crosses we have to bear.

To follow this new way of living, I will try to keep my eyes on Jesus when the raging storms of life make me feel like I am sinking and the angry winds batter me. For I know when I shift my focus from Jesus, I fail. I ask for forgiveness and try again. And again. In addition, I join my stresses to the cross and pray for those who hurt me. I love them by asking God to shower His grace on the situation and bring all of us to Him with His divine mercy. I can honor the Lord by refusing to retaliate or seek revenge.

Ponder:

​How can I practice turning to Jesus when the storms of life batter me and I want to retaliate?

Pray:

​Lord, thank You for Your love and grace in a world that sometimes feels like it wants to tear us apart. Grant me the desire to accept everything with humility.

Copyright 2025 Virginia Pillars

Virginia Pillars, author of Broken Brain, Fortified Faith: Lessons of Hope Through a Child’s Mental Illness, winner of the 2017 Selah Award and CWG SOA, strives to bring God’s hope to mental health by speaking events and as a NAMI volunteer. She contributed to Sharing Your Catholic Faith, Divine Interventions, Whispers in the Pew, and themighty.com. Virginia blogs at www.virginiapillars.com.