October 12, 2024 Daily Dose of Discernment
Babylon, you will be destroyed. Blessed are those who pay you back for what you have done to us, who take your babies and smash them against a rock. (Psalm 137:8-9)
Imagine the Responsorial Psalm ending with the imprecation above and then the whole congregation proclaiming afterward, "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit ..." It would be awkward, if not problematic, if the Gospel reading happens to be about Jesus preaching, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
This is not to disparage the categorization of the mysteries of the Rosary, but the crucifixion can be viewed as a glorious event as much as the resurrection. Why? Because God giving His life for the sake of His executioners manifestly reveals His glory. Avenging Himself on them doesn't. His glory is always to have mercy. The real enemies we struggle against are not flesh and blood but powers of darkness. The attitude of the Psalmist against Israel's oppressors should be our attitude toward spiritual forces that lead us to sin and destruction. Bur our human brothers we are to love, whether friend or foe.
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