Reading and meditation on the Word of God on Monday of the 11th week in ordinary time, June 16, 2025

Delivered by Father Peter Tukan, SDB from Salesian Don Bosco Gerak in the Diocese of Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. 2 Corinthians 6: 1-10; Rs psalm 98: 1.2-3ab.3cd-4; Matthew 5: 38-42.OUR ENEMIES Our meditation today has the theme:Our Enemies. The first time I was slandered was through spreading a false storyabout myself, but it was done at my behind. I was offended and angry. I triedto find out who actually did the slander, but it didn't work. The second time, I was accused ofcorruption through an anonymous letter placed behind the door of my office.Once again this was a lie, because I certainly have never been engaged incorruption. I live only with my salary and my own business run by the family.The accusation was very shameful and made me very angry. I tried to find outthe brain of the accusation, but the results were empty. The third time, my cellphone rang allday. Different numbers appeared on the mobile screen, but there were no names.I tried to answer once, hoping to ascertain what the caller wanted. But nosingle voice heard or at least some texts appeared after all those calls. Idecided to change my cellphone number. That was someone's story a few daysago about his very disturbed life. We often get similar trouble or other kindsof  malicious situation. It is clear thatno human in this world is free from interference. We can categorize ourtroubles as ordinary and normal ones, such as friends who come to the housewhen we are focused on the works, or children who ask many questions to theirparents. The Lord Jesus today refers to thecategory of extraordinary bullies or attacks by those who have intention to hurt and destroy us. They arecalled the enemies. They are everywhere, which we can meet every day whether weknow them or not. Those whom we do not know and hide somewhere, have plans toattack and harm us. With the existence of social media that is widespread inits use, the unknown enemies will easily do evil as they want. Regarding the existence of enemies inthis manner, is God's word today about "Love your enemies" stillrelevant? Maybe there are people who do not believe that we can love ourenemies and see this teaching is irrelevant, but the Lord Jesus will answerhimself and say to us, that His word about loving enemies remains relevantthroughout time. The Word says that, loving anyone's enemy, is that by prayingfor him. That means we put the enemy before two judges, namely ourselves andGod as the main judge. So we are with God facing our enemies. Let's pray. In the name of theFather ... O Lord Jesus, grant that with your merciful love we may be able toturn enemies into friends. Our Father ... In the name ...