7th SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME.
READINGS:
1R: Lev 19: 1- 2, 17 - 18.
PS 102 : 1 - 2, 3 - 4, 8, & 10, 12 - 13.
2R: 1 Cor 3: 16 - 23.
GOS MT 5: 38 - 48.
THE CENTRAL THEME OF TODAY'S READING IS :
THE CHRISTIAN MORALITY AND APPROACH TO LIFE IS MODELED TO THE PERFECTION AND GOODNESS OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER.
THEREFORE THE FIRST READING EXHORTS US TO BE HOLY AS GOD IS HOLY.
THE SECOND READING TELLS US TO ACQUIRE GOD'S WISDOM AND NOT MERELY RELY ON HUMAN KNOWLEDGE. PAUL ALSO GIVES US ONE MORE REASON TO BE HOLY; OUR BODIES ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
" EYE FOR AN EYE " , " TOOTH FOR A TOOTH "
WAS LEX TALIONIS. THE LAW BY HAMMURABI.
CHRISTIAN CAN NOT HAVE PERSONAL ENEMIES.
HE / SHE HAS TO FORGIVE AND FORGET.
HE / SHE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO KEEP GRUDGE.
HE / SHE IS SUPPOSED TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE.
THE THREE EXAMPLES.
1. RIGHT CHEEK/ LEFT CHEEK ------ REMINDS TO WIN EVIL BY GOOD, VIOLENCE BY NON- VIOLENCE AND RESTRAINT.
2. COAT / CLOAK----- TO YIELD AND NOT TO STAY ON PRIVILEGES.
3. WALK 2 MILES----- TO BEAR THE BURDENS CHEERFULLY.
IN SHORT, CHRISTIAN RESPONSE SHOULD BE " UNIQUE "
GO TO FIRST READING AGAIN:
DON'T HATE; NO VENGEANCE; BEAR NO GRUDGE IN THE HEART.
BUT LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.
BE THE REAL CHRISTIAN.
