7th Week in Ordinary Time
19th February 2023 (Sunday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for the Lord your God am holy. "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbour, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord."
Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8 and 10, 12-13 (R. 8a)
R/. The Lord is compassionate and gracious.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
Brethren: Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness", and again, "The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile." So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future- all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
Gospel : Matthew 5:38-48
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Be holy like God!
Indicative: True faith and holiness can never be dissociated or exempted from fraternity and charity{alertSuccess}
1. "Be holy for I, Lord your God, am holy". This is how God urges us in the first reading from Leviticus. In the second reading, Paul reminds us that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. In the gospel, Jesus exhorts us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is. Thus, our call is to be like God, to be holy as He is.
2. But what is this holiness? What does it mean to be holy? It is very interesting and it is the right thing too. Holiness is understood not merely in terms of some devotions, some religious activities, or some spiritual traditions or practices. True holiness is to become like God, to put on His mindset, and to act like Him.
3. Very specifically, holiness is explained in the concrete details of fraternity and charity: have no grudge against your neighbour in your heart, nurture no hatred, take no revenge, but love your neighbour.
4. You are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, do not desecrate such a holy abode by the stains and blemishes of self-conceit and lack of charity. You are the holy children of a holy God. Therefore, your life must always resemble and testify to His way and His mode of relating and acting.
5. This implies a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation, in contrast to revenge and retaliation; a spirit of magnanimity in giving and doing the maximum, more than expected and required; a spirit of equity and fairness toward all without discrimination.
6. This is what Jesus invites us for. It is to put on God’s own mindset: a selfless love even to embrace the enemy, to bless them, to pray for them, to be courteous to all and to help all, to show equity toward all without any disparity, just as “God sends His rain and sunshine upon all”, both the good and the evil.
7. Thus, our model is God Himself in His compassion, mercy, and perfection: “Be merciful AS your heavenly Father is merciful”. Therefore, to be holy means to constantly model our life on God's mindset, His mercy and compassion, His going beyond the minimums and dry obligations, and His perfection.
8. This is truly the culmination of true devotion and charity. Rightly the sweet saint St Francis de Sales affirms: "Charity is the perfection of devotion". So let us not domesticate holiness only to some pious gestures and acts. But let us give it free rein and true face in the concrete spirit of fraternity and acts of charity.
Imperative: True holiness is the wholeness of life. It consists not only in acts of devotion but much more in the integrity of life, a life of right relationship with God and others{alertSuccess}