Homily for Tuesday of the 14th Week in Ordinary Time

Spite is an unfortunate part of the human experience. It is a harmful trait that most have experienced by being the object of spite or by being spiteful ourselves. In general, spiteful behavior should be embarrassing to the one who exhibits it. Still, often, it is portrayed as a virtue.[1]

The Pharisees in today's Gospel were very spiteful toward Jesus. People concerned with the letter of the law didn't like that Jesus was concerned less with the nuances of the law than with the spirit of what the law should be about: mercy and love. In their opposition to Jesus, they took good things that he did—like healing the demoniac—and attributed them to the work of Satan, acting through Jesus. What a contradiction!

Living by Gospel principles is indeed a challenging journey, one that often requires us to go against our natural inclinations. However, the transformative power of virtues like forgiveness, humility, charity, and mercy is profound. They can be especially challenging to practice when we feel wronged, but embodying these virtues is the hallmark of a good Christian and a good person.

Let us pray, today and always, that the Holy Spirit may guide us to wisdom and understanding of ourselves and others when we feel wronged. May our response bring us closer to the will of God.

 

[1] Angier, Natalie, The New York Times, March 31, 2014