Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - C - February 24, 2019

How to Treat an Enemy

Have you ever been frustrated by adversaries? No matter how you approach them, they treat you with scorn or indifference. Their walls of anger seem insurmountable. What to do? Jesus had an answer. Love your enemies.

Sunday Studies:

FIRST READING In 1 Samuel, David had his chance to murder the adversary who sought his life, King Saul. Yet, he refused. Instead, David took the king's water and spear to prove he was the better man. He was merciful.

PSALM Psalm 103 praised God for his goodness, his mercy and the core of Jewish faith, his loving kindness for his people.

SECOND READING In 1 Corinthians, St. Paul compared the man born from the earth, Adam, with the man from heaven, Jesus. The earthly man would return to dust while the spiritual man would rise up for glory. Which one do we choose to follow?

GOSPEL In Luke's Gospel, Jesus taught his disciples to extend love beyond one's circle of family and friends. He wanted them to treat everyone, even enemies, with deference. Yet, even this behavior had a goal: evangelization.

Other Resources:

DAILY READINGS Readings for the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time.

CHAIR OF ST. PETER February 22, 2019.

CHILDREN'S READINGS In the story for the first reading, Katie beat her friend Allison in a game of "King of the Hill." The war was on! The story for the gospel continued mounting Katie's and Allison's spat. Both girls spread their venom to their friends, reaching the point no one wanted to have anything to do with either girl. In the end, they discovered true strength in forgiveness.

CATECHISM LINK This week we investigate the moral choices we make in "Free Will and Conscience."

FAMILY ACTIVITY Spread Jesus' message with a "Love Your Enemies" poster.