February 20, 2011
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
What does it mean to be "holy?" Moses tells the Hebrew people that they must be holy like God! Holiness is a divine attribute and a difficult human endeavor. Do not have hatred in your heart for your brother. When you reprove a citizen do not incur sin. Take no revenge and do not cherish a grudge. Love your neighbor as yourself. Covenant love is God's commandment. Jesus tells his disciples that this love extends beyond family, neighbor and nation to our enemies. Jesus exhorts his followers to break the cycle of mistrust and hatred. Do not return insult for insult; injustice for injustice; violence for violence. Do not respond to injury "in kind" by hurting and harming another but with honesty and non violence. When one turns his/her cheek after an affront he/she looks the person in the eyes. We see this holiness lived by Jesus even to the cross. Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said if your brother has something against you, leave your gift at the altar, go seek reconciliation, then come and offer your sacrifice. At this moment let us pray God's blessing on anyone who has offended or harmed us (or we have harmed them) and after this moment of peace in our minds and hearts let us bring our offertory gifts to altar.
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5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
