Are you reluctant to do something extra for others? What hinders you from imitating Christ’s going the extra mile? - Daily Reflections September 11,2014

GOING THE EXTRA MILE

 

I wonder how Jesus’ listeners reacted to His words in today’s Gospel passage. Did they turn around and go away, saying, “That’s too much”?

       While most of the Ten Commandments begin with “Thou shall not,” Jesus gives us here a list of “Thou shall do.” And that makes it so difficult to practice what Jesus teaches here. It is easier to refrain from doing something bad than doing something extra. It is easier to avoid something not so good than going out of one’s way to do more than what was expected. The extra mile is a challenge that can make or break a Christian. I might say that I am as good a Christian as my neighbors, but Jesus challenges us to be better Christians than our neighbors. This is not to brag or to become proud, but to become more Christ-like. After all, Christ really went the extra mile.

       Jesus did the extra mile when He stood up from the Last Supper and washed the feet of His disciples. And in line with today’s Gospel passage, Jesus explained to His shocked disciples, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:15).

       Many see Christianity as a religion of prohibitions. But no! Christianity is a religion of “dos” rather than “don’ts.” Christianity is a religion of the positive rather than the negative. If only we would understand this, our

religion could become more a source of joy and happiness. Having done something positive, something extra, and seeing the effect on the recipient of our good deed, there is joy.

       I still have a photo from last year’s Easter Monday newspaper, which showed Pope Francis “taking a bath” in the crowd at St. Peter’s Square. He waved and smiled, kissed babies, and embraced a sick youth. He did not have to do this, but he went the extra mile.

       Mission impossible? No! We only need to overcome our laziness and selfishness to reach out and bring joy to others by going the extra mile. Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you reluctant to do something extra for others? What hinders you from imitating Christ’s going the extra mile?

 

Lord, Your words seem demanding, but Your example is inspiring. Help me to reach out. Help me to do something extra for others and so bring joy to them.