Sunday 23 February 2020
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18. Psalm 102(103):1-4, 8, 10, 12-13. 1 Corinthians 3:16-23. Matthew 5:38-48.
The Lord is kind and merciful – Psalm 102(103):1-4, 8, 10, 12-13.
‘Love your enemies!’
The enemy is not necessarily found in a war situation, but can be someone in our community or even under the same roof. It is not the ones who hate us, but the ones we ourselves hate, who bring out the worst in us. Hatred is so much wasted energy; it doesn’t destroy its object, but surely it destroys the one who hates.
Being called to love my enemy does not mean I have to feel affection for them; for love is a verb and needs to be acted on. St Paul speaks of love, and we would be wise to act like this – patiently with kindness, without jealousy, not bearing grudges.
Our hearts are made for love and we have seen how hatred has poisoned our world down through the ages. Let it not poison our own hearts, but rather call upon the Lord who gives mercy and peace.
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