June 16, 2026
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Matthew 5:43–48

Today is Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time. The passage from the Gospel of Matthew continues Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this teaching, Jesus reveals to us a way of living and shows us the face of a merciful Father. I would like to offer some further reflections.

In life, it is nearly impossible to live in isolation or to avoid relationships with others, for we are not meant to be alone. Yet when we interact with others, we often follow the logic and norms of this world—a world that says: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth; love your neighbor and hate your enemy.”

Broadly speaking, our “neighbor” refers to those who live alongside us and care for us. Our “enemies” are those who oppose us, who stand in our way, or who disagree with us. But the neighbor Jesus speaks of is not limited to those close to us; He includes the vulnerable—the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. Likewise, our enemies are not only those who oppose us on earth; they are also, in a spiritual sense, those who accuse us before God because of our sins and wrongdoing.

Today, Jesus calls us to abandon the logic of this passing world. The world tells us: “You must repay evil with evil, or you will be seen as weak and others will take advantage of you.” But Jesus teaches: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven” (cf. Matt 5:43–45). To be children of the Father means to resemble Him in every way. For our heavenly Father does not punish us; He loves us—even anticipating our needs and pouring out grace upon us before we even ask.

Jesus tells us: “He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust” (cf. Matt 5:45). That “sun” is the Word of God, the true Light that enlightens everyone, as St. John says (cf. John 1:9). It shines not only on those who accept the Kingdom Jesus proclaims, but also on those who reject it—so that through His word, the world may come to know the true face of the Father.

Likewise, having been baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, we are called to live as God’s children. We must let the light of Christ, received in the initiatory sacraments, shine through us—drawing near to those who do not yet know the God Jesus reveals. We are to bring them the Gospel, so that they too may be illumined by Christ’s light and no longer live according to their former ways, but according to the way Jesus taught us—so that our thoughts, words, and deeds may reflect the perfection of our heavenly Father.

O God, strength of those who hope in you, graciously hear our pleas, and, since without you mortal frailty can do nothing, grant us always the help of your grace, that in following your commands we may please you by our resolve and our deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica