Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Intro: Jesus asks us to turn the other cheek and love our enemies; to be perfect. And that's hard! During this Mass, may He challenge and change us with His love and generosity.
Readings: In the Book of Leviticus, God calls His people to embrace holiness by showing love to everyone, not hating our brothers and sisters, not holding on to grudges and not taking vengeance. In other words, to be holy, as He is holy!
St. Paul points out to the Corinthians that God's wisdom is different from the thinking prevalent in the world. We bear the presence of God's Spirit within us, because, from the moment of our baptism, we are His temple, and so we carry God in our heart.
Leviticus 19: 1-2, 17-18;
2 Corinthians 3: 16-23;
Matthew 5: 38-48;
Aggression is an instinctive reaction to a difficult situation. But Jesus, in today's Gospel - still part of the Sermon on the Mount - tells us that if we respond to aggression with more aggression, we risk creating an endless cycle of ever increasing violence, whereas He teaches that God's love extends to everyone.
Of course, we say that there's no real aggression in our own lives. But think of someone jumping the queue in the supermarket, of someone driving aggressively, leading to road rage and the dreadful "red mist"; think of how disputes with neighbours escalate into real battles if things aren't sorted out. And how many young people watch violent video games at home, despite evidence that regular playing risks creating an insensitivity towards violence, often playing a part in the numerous stabbings which we hear about, especially down south?
The Gospel calls us to reject the belief that "aggro" is the best and the easiest way to solve problems. A blind man once said, "my sight has been taken away, but not my vision." Efforts to build bridges with those we don't like or who have harmed us might bring surprising results. And even if they don't, then we can always console
ourselves that at least we're remaining faithful to the way of life which Jesus expects from His followers - we've tried ... tried to "Be perfect, just as Your heavenly Father is perfect!"
None of this means that God doesn't take sides! We see that precisely in Jesus, who was fully aware of the way Jews demonised their enemies, like the Samaritans. He always sided with the poor, the marginalised, the oppressed, regardless of the labels others had placed on them ("This rabble knows nothing .. they are damned" [Caiaphas]). He urges us to move out of our own comfort zones and engage with those whom we usually ignore, and respond instead to His call to be peacemakers.
That will mean playing our own part, putting words into action, no matter how small. But it will also mean tackling our own prejudices and dislikes towards those
whom we come across in our daily lives. Jesus calls us to be perfect, as His heavenly Father is perfect! And we can do only by turning the other cheek and loving those who certainly don't love us. Why should we? Simply because that's what God does, and wants us to copy. In spite of all that, He never believed that loving our enemies would transform them into instant friends.
Love didn't solve all His problems with His enemies. In the end, He was the One Who reached out to free others, and was badly stung in the process. In fact, He was
stung to death! Day and daily, we seek forgiveness from God; now it's time to share that forgiveness. And when we do that, we bear witness to the graciousness of God Himself, who wants us to embody the amazing love of His own Son in our lives. So, time to get weaving!
Intercessions
With complete confidence in God's compassion and love, we turn to Him in prayer:
1. For the Church. May we, as a Church, continue to bear witness to the values of forgiveness, reconciliation and peace - Lord, hear us.
2. For political leaders. Help them to choose the path of dialogue and negotiation when they are dealing with other peoples and nations especially in the presently troubled areas of Syria and Israel - Lord, hear us.
3. For teachers, parents, and all those who work with children. May they show a true love for those in their charge, and a commitment to tackle the violence and bullying which can destroy so many lives - Lord, hear us.
4. For those of us who are struggling to forgive or to be forgiven, sickened because of bitterness, hatred or deep grudges. May we find the strength to overcome everything which separates us from Your love - Lord, hear us.
5. Finally, welcome into Your presence those who have died recently: Len Allen, May GoIdle, Kenneth Gallacher, Charlie Gray, Mason McLean, together with Thomas Cullen, Fr. Linus Effion, Helen Kerr, Connnall Gould, Cyril Herrity - Lord, hear us.
Lord, we ask You to replace any bitterness in our hearts with love as You hear these prayers which we place before You today.