It is 19th June 2017. We celebrate the memorial of St. Romuald, the Abbot. The readings are from 2 Cor. 6:1-10; and the Gospel from Matthew 5:38-42. The first reading reminds our responsibility and our contributions as the co-partners of God. God has invested in us and so we need to be co-partners of God. “As God’s fellow workers we beg you once again not to neglect the grace of God that you have received.” (2 Cor.6:1). Our partnership with God must be seen in our purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, holiness, a love free from affection and always be prepared to be disgraced, blamed, executed, and to handed over to death. In all challenging and demeaning situations, we are to prove that we are the co-partners of God withstanding all humiliation and sufferings for the love of Christ. We are invited to be the channels of love, grace and sacrifice. We are to prove to the world daily our vulnerability in believing Christ. The strength of the vulnerability is the witnesses in docility to accept come what may for our faith in Jesus. Grace in us is supremely powerful than the disgrace that is inflicted upon us by the world. Neglecting God’s work is equal to be indifferent to God and God’s expectations. Let not our choices, wishes, plan, ideas, and thoughts override the plan of God. We are the co-partners of God in implementing the plan of God in every move we make. The responsorial Psalm acclaims, “The Lord has made known his salvation.” (Ps.97:2). The Gospel explains to us that we must not fight back and avoid doing tit for tat. Since we are the servants of the Lord, we need to create rooms for mutual respect, love and forgiveness at all cost and means. Even when we are abused for the sake of our belief in the Lord, we must become non-violent in word and deed. Vengeances, paying back evil for evil, and holding a grudge for what others have done to us is not Christian. We must always aspire to do good even in a situation where we have been taken for a ride by the other. Our faith in God makes us possible to perform this supernatural act of love and allowing God be the winner in our human struggles and relationships. May you have a good day.