Greetings on this the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: 1 Sm 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23; Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13; 1 Cor 15:45-49; Lk 6:27-38
Notes: Today’s gospel reading is rich in content and integrated in meaning.
How well the gospel message today says it so succinctly. How very challenging is the hidden reality that we hate as enemy because we judge superficially.
Stop judging and you will not be judged (Lk 6:37a).
First reading
In the first reading David declines to kill King Saul, even as he had the opportunity, the justification, and the weapons to do so. In stead he declares that:
The Lord will reward each man for his justice and faithfulness. Today, though the Lord delivered you into my grasp, I would not hard the Lord’s anointed (1 SAM 26:23).
Powerful!
Responsorial Psalm
The Lord is kind and merciful.
Second reading
The second reading describes a type of evolution of man from Adam, a living-being to Jesus a heavenly-being. An evolution of sorts going from persons of mere basic instincts (primal urge and responses) to claiming our future:
We are made in the image of God and we are called to his likeness.
Alleluia Verse
I give you a new commandment, says the Lord:
love one another as I have loved you.
Gospel Portion
Choices
- Love be not an enemy.
- Bless be not cursed or be cursing.
- Pray rather than strike.
- give rather than hoard.
- Do rather than abase.
- Be rather than judge.
Since the LORD teaches these differences he gives us the power to do them.
For us alone, impossible.
But for God in us, through us, with us, all things are possible.
I think of two bouquet of roses:
- One set dry and lifeless.
- The other set fully blossomed.
- Which are we?
- Which do we see others as?
How do we transform our vision of the others from dry and lifeless flowers to blossom?
I promise you, this is the Lord’s vision.
In Christ all things are possible.
He can fix our vision.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 