Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 19, 2023 (EPISODE-407 )

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 19, 2023 (EPISODE-407 )

Readings for Sunday, February 19, 2023 - Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A
FIRST READING: Lev 19:1-2, 17-18
Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "The Lord is kind and merciful."
SECOND READING: 1 Cor 3:16-23
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 John 2:5). Alleluia, alleluia! Whoever keeps the word of Christ, grows perfect in the love of God.
GOSPEL: Matt 5:38-48

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 722119933 - Jesus christ crucifix cross on heaven sunrise - Christianity -Mercy - Forgiveness -  Love -  Giving -   Photo Contributor: Art Stocker
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A - Sunday, February 19, 2023, by clicking this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/faith-hope-and-love-seventh-sunday-of-ordinary-time-year-a-episode-407/s-cHMn9P87V1m  (EPISODE- 407)
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continuing from last week....   the source and the goal of discipleship is to share in the heart of God....   to dwell in God's love and reflect God's love....   love is at the heart of everything. to become truly Christ-like; not only in our appearances but in essence...  which is to BE love...   // this changes everything...   we focus not on perfecting external actions...  but put all our energies into allowing God's love and compassion to grow in our hearts and flow out into our attitudes and actions...   

Saint Paul uses a wonderful image to show us that God is building us up into a worthy dwelling place for him to live in us. But he says that we are not being formed into any old home for God,…… "We are invited to become not just an occasional holiday shack for God, but a permanent home and, (even more so...), a "Temple" for God to live in.  And the Greek word for "temple" used here implies not just the facade of the Temple of Jerusalem but the inner sanctuary - the "Holy of Holies" (where only one priest could enter at a time. Apparently, the priest on duty had a rope tied around them so if they fainted or died while in this inner sanctuary, they could be hauled out by the rope without anyone else entering!)   
 
So, each of us is invited to become, body, soul and mind,  an extremely holy place for God to dwell. 
 
What renovations do we need God's grace to create in us to make us a worthy place?  (a temple)? 
 
A temple is a building that is "purpose-built". Every room and every item in that place is there for the purpose of worshipping God (who abides in that temple) and for doing God's works. …… 
 
So, our lives, and everything about us, are similarly put to the use of God; We become willing instruments of God's Kingdom…  We are God's temple, says Saint Paul, and this is an amazing thought. 
 
This weekend, with the Gospel, two words bear deeper reflection; and need a bit of clarification.  
 
Firstly we are told by Jesus:  "Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect" – 
This is not an invitation to perfectionism (which is quite a different thing).  
In fact, we actually see in Our Lord's life and ministry that he was the opposite of a "nit-picking" legalist, who was prickly around other people because they didn't do everything "just right." The Greek word "perfect," here, actually means "Telios" that is (like the word 'telescope')/ an unfolding to achieve its maximum potential/  achieving full capacity/ Reaching maturity/ Becoming whole or complete…  "To be best suited for its purpose"…. (For example.. a 'tailored suit' is Telios – that is, it is designed to fit the wearer's proportions perfectly).
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So, we are invited to allow God's Kingdom to fit us like a designer Baptismal garment/.. matching just right !/ …. But, we are the ones who are being shaped to fit God's ways, and not the opposite... of us trying to cut down God's Kingdom to suit our convenience.   
 
The second problematic saying is "love your enemies"… 
This is extremely difficult to teach. "Pray for those who hurt you"…… 
Firstly the Greek word used here is not like the love of husband and wife. Also, this word is (understandably) nothing like the love that one has for a family member or a close friend…. It is 'agape" - That is, the different kind of love that wishes well to the other, show basic human respect and indicates an act of reason. It is not so much a love coming from the heart, but (surprisingly, in this situation) it is a decision (made by the head and enabled by a conscious, considered resolution). It is a deliberate choice to SHOW respect/kindness, restraint, and regard to all people, irrespective of their actions and irrespective of our feelings towards them. 
 
Doing this mirrors how God treats us all. 
 
(This does NOT mean that we become doormats or punching bags for Christ! That would be unjust and unacceptable. And in any case, Jesus is giving this teaching to disciples, most of whom would have been quite capable of knocking the head off someone who slapped them even once!  Christ's new followers would have needed to use their willpower not to strike back! Christ is teaching us that, Abiding in God's love, we don't have to lower our response or attitude to that of those who seek to harm us. We do not need to return evil for evil – which would simply continue the vicious cycle of violence and hate.  
 
This is asking us something that does not come naturally. The bonds of natural affection and friendship are in some ways easier, but this is about the call of God's love - not the limits of the "bare minimum" God might expect. 
 
To the demands of the law, there are always limitations and exceptions …./ But to the claims of love, there are limits or exceptions/  And such a concept as "limits" makes no sense to one who loves.
 
"A basic mistake in earthly wisdom is to think of life in terms of the law, instead of love. If we love a person deeply, passionately, humbly and selflessly, we will be quite sure that (in a poetic sense) if we were to give that person all we possessed, we would still be in default; if we gave that person the sun, the moon and the stars, we would still be in debt, (a willing debt of love, that is !)/ 'One who is in love is always in debt'; The last thing that enters their mind is that they have earned a reward or can demand a response. If a person has a legalistic view of life, they may constantly think in terms of the reward that has been won and what is "owed" to them;/ But, if a person has a loving view of life, the idea of reward would be jarring. …. (Again, here I think of parents… They love their children unconditionally… They give because they love… If they were doing it for reward or expecting the balance sheet one day to be truly "evened up"…., they will most certainly be waiting a long time !…… but that is not how a loving parent acts… and God does not think that way either… 
 
(Jesus invites us to enter into this mindset deeper and deeper each day). 
 
How much is sufficient? how much is enough? when given to one's beloved?…..
(how long is a piece of string?) …. It is a different way of seeing the world…"# 
 
So, Are we ready for this astounding invitation from today's Gospel?"A person will be perfect ('Telios') (GSN5046) …. (or to put it more precisely… "mature and fit for the purpose for which we were created)," when we reflect the image and likeness of God, (for that is what God intended from the beginning of creation) (The Book of Genesis).
 
God's qualities are universal benevolence and kindness, unconquerable goodwill, 
and Constant seeking of the highest good of every person. 
God is love and shows love (to the saint and to the sinner alike). 
No matter what people do in response, God seeks nothing but their highest good. 
 
Jesus is laying down three great rules—(which I feel anxious to lay down without watering it down or explaining it away, even though it calls us to go deeper than is comfortable or familiar)….The Christian avoids resentment or retaliation for insults 
(no matter how deliberate), returning kindness and reverence in the face of injury. 
 
The Christian does not stand or fall upon their legal rights or on any other rights they may believe themselves to possess; The Christian thinks not about their right to do as they like but rather always think of our duty to be of help and to do good work with all our ability for the glory of God. We cannot achieve this alone. This can ONLY be achieved when the grace and love of God abide in us and flows outwards into actions of kindness, mercy and compassion. "When we love, we are a sign and sacrament of the Kingdom of God… And, Jesus says to us:  'Love !, (not as others love but as I love), and BE that SIGN!"   
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References:

Fr Paul W. Kelly; 

Strong's Biblical Concordance: HelpsBible.com. copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc;

# Barclay, W. (1975). The Gospel of MATTHEW. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: St. Andrew Press; 

Cronin, G. (2003). Celebrating the Gospels. 1st ed. Liguori, Mo.: Liguori; 

DeBona, G. (2013). Between the Ambo and the altar. 1st ed. Minnesota: Liturgical Press; 

Hodge, Vincent.  Note on the Greek word for "Temple," used in 1 Corinthians 3:17; also see http://www.godrules.net/library/strongs2b/gre3485.htm  

Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 722119933 - Jesus christ crucifix cross on heaven sunrise - Christianity -Mercy - Forgiveness -  Love -  Giving -   Photo Contributor: Art Stocker


Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time. Year A  (Sunday, February 19, 2023) (EPISODE- 407)

The Lord be with you.
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{{thank you so much for taking this time with me to listen to God's word and for praising God for his goodness and care.}}

Brothers and sisters, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the Lord's supper, let us recall our sins and acknowledge them in silence.
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy// //Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins:Christ, have mercy//Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood:Lord, have mercy//
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.
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Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8+10, 12-13. "The Lord is kind and merciful."

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (1 John 2:5). Alleluia, alleluia! Whoever keeps the word of Christ, grows perfect in the love of God.
Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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PREFACE: Sundays Ordinary VI
Eucharistic Prayer III

(theme variation:  1)

(welcome cycle-   (welcome 7) Good evening/morning. It is wonderful to gather together as members of God's family. Parishioners and visitors alike. We are all united as Our lord's family. We hope you feel very welcome. Please check to see that your mobile devices are switched off or turned to silent.  Our Presider tonight / today is Fr………………………… Please stand as we sing our entrance hymn: "__________" *)

(pre+post variation: v1-long)
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{thank you so much for taking this time with me to listen to God's word and for praising God for his goodness and care.}

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

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Archive of homilies and reflections:  http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email:  paulwkelly68@gmail.com

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Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection"  - Led by Rev Paul Kelly

Prayers and chants  — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)

Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989,  and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)

"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009,  The Grail - Collins publishers.

Prayers of the Faithful -   " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'.   E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).

Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" -  By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria,  Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.

- "Faith, Hope and Love" theme hymn - in memory of  William John Kelly -     Inspired by 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Music by Paul W. Kelly. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

"Quiet Time."  Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.

- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly.  Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer.  Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.

Sound Engineering and editing -  P.W. Kelly.

Microphones: -      Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)

Editing equipment:    NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44

Sound Processing:  iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor

[Production -  KER -  2023]
May God bless and keep you.
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