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Sunday Scripture Study

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle A

February 20, 2011

Click here for USCCB readings

Opening Prayer  

First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18

Psalm: 103:1-4, 8, 10, 12-13

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:38-48

  • Continuing with the Sermon on the Mount we have been hearing from in the last several weeks, this Sunday we will hear the remainder of the section of Matthew 5 sometimes called “the Six Antitheses”. Each antithesis follows a similar format: Jesus citing the Old Law, saying “you have heard it was said…”, and responding with the refrain “…But I say to you”. Jesus is thus established as the new Moses and the lawgiver of the New Covenant.
  • In verses 38-42, Jesus speaks about the law of retaliation. The command “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” (taken from Exodus 21:24) sounds harsh to our ears, but in the context of the ancient Middle East, it was actually an enlightened improvement on the prevailing practice which allowed unlimited retaliation for offenses committed. Even so, Jesus goes even further in eliminating the policy of private retaliation from the personal life of the disciple (Romans 12:17).
  • In verses 43-48, Jesus reminds his hearers of what was considered one of the two greatest commandments (Mt 22:39), that is, to love one’s neighbor as oneself (see Lev 19:18) along with the common belief that one should “hate” their enemies (the Jews of the time had a very definition of “neighbor”, restricting it to fellow Jews; thus the parable of the Good Samaritan. See Luke 10:29-37). Jesus, in this instance, removes limits on to whom they are to extend their charity. In fact, they (and we) are to strive to imitate the perfection of God the Father who has solicitude for all (verses 45, 48).

 

QUESTIONS:

  • In the 1st Reading, how is the commandment given by Moses, though good, still limited? In what way or ways is the new commandment given by Jesus superior?
  • In the 2nd Reading, what is the basis of our dignity in the Lord (verse 16)? In the context of verse 17 and Mt 5:48, how should we conduct ourselves?
  • What was the original intent of “an eye for an eye”? How is this law being perverted? What qualities should replace those desires for revenge?
  • Although the standards Jesus gives are not a new law we must attain before God will have mercy on us, what do they suggest about the direction God wants us to grow after we have received his mercy? Which of these qualities do you want to cultivate most right now? How would your life be different as God helps you to do this?
  • What “enemies” has God given you to love? How can you love them? Why does he command you to love them?

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1693, 1825, 1933, 1968, 2013, 2054, 2262, 2303, 2443, 2608, 2844

 

Your duty is to sanctify yourself.  Yes, even you.  Who thinks that this task is only for priests and religious?  To everyone, without exception, our Lord said: `Be ye perfect, as My Heavenly Father is perfect'.

-St Josemaria Escriva


33 posted on 02/20/2011 5:08:38 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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Encounter with an Unseen World

Pastor’s Column

7th Sunday Ordinary Time

February 20, 2011

 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God.

                                                            from 1 Cor3:16-23 (2nd reading at Mass) 

            The world is not as it appears to be on the surface.  We as Christians know this to be true: God exists; the angels exist; our loved ones continue to live, but not where we are.  We know all of these things from scripture, and although we have constant interactions with our guardian angels, who are always with us, they seldom manifest themselves to us.  This is so that we will have the opportunity to live by faith: once we have seen them, a life of faith will never be possible again.  But, at times, when God wills it, we do have encounters with a world that the worldly, those who scoff at God and never listen to scripture, are certain does not exist. 

          I had an extraordinary encounter this week.  Tuesday was an atypical day filled with sick calls as well as a burial.  I had all the places I needed to visit on sheets of paper stuffed in my pocket, and there were many of them.  The last call was to the home of an elderly lady who , as it turned out, was actively dying.  As I prepared to head for her house, I suddenly found to my dismay that her name, address and phone were missing!  No one at the office knew the details, and I couldn’t remember a thing!  I frantically searched my pockets again and again, even going so far as to turn each of them inside out, because no priest wants someone to die without the sacraments because of a goof like this!  Where had I left those papers? 

          When I got back to the office, it was as I expected.  No one had a clue who this lady was that was dying.  How many of us have been in situations where we could go no further, even though the need was urgent?  So I offered the situation to God.  Then, instinctively, I checked my jacket pocket again, the same one I had turned inside out a half hour earlier, even though it was manifestly useless to do so, and there in my pocket were the (large) papers with this lady’s name and address!  I will go to my death saying that those papers were not in that pocket and yet now, inexplicably, suddenly, there they were!  What can we make of this? 

          Obviously, an unseen hand was at work, no doubt this lady’s guardian angel, who wished that a priest be present at her death.  I have had this kind of experience before, as have many other priests.  I am equally sure that this same “unseen hand” has helped you innumerable times, though you perhaps did not notice it!  All of this can be accomplished without our being made aware of it, but I believe that God permits this at times to give encouragement to those  facing grave difficulties in their lives right now.  God really does love you and is working many miracles in your life, most of which you are not even aware of!  Pay attention to those times when God permits you to see, obliquely, what he is doing for you.  If we only knew how much assistance God gives us and how great is the unseen world around us, we would never cease to praise God!  The “world” is totally unaware of this, but we Christians know the truth. 

                                                                                          Father Gary


34 posted on 02/20/2011 5:32:57 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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