Our readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time challenges us to “Be holy, for I the Lord your God, am holy.”
To be holy as our God is holy means to love, to forgive and to bless others as our God does. In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus offers four ways to do so. The first is to abstain from all forms of retaliation. The second is to take whatever offense comes our way gracefully and love the offender. The third is to forgive the offender without planning revenge. The fourth is by sincerely praying for them for their spiritual and physical welfare and for the grace needed for their conversion.
So, what does it mean for us today? Many of the problems we face today are systemic. The resolutions in many ways are beyond our reach. But it’s necessary for all of us to keep on trying, to never give up.
There is a Home for Children in Calcutta, India, served by the Missionaries of Charity founded by St Teresa of Calcutta. Displayed in the home is an adaptation of a poem originally entitled: “Never Give Up.” It reads:
“Discipleship is an unusual undertaking; the better you become at it, the more difficult and challenging it will be. Be a disciple anyway; never give up
The people you are called to serve may be unlikeable, ungrateful and unimpressed by your dedication. Love and serve them anyway; never give up.
If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Do good anyway; never give up
The good you do for Christ today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway; never give up
Honestly, humility, and simplicity make you vulnerable. Be honest and humble and simple anyway; never give up.
What you spend years building may seem insignificant in the eyes of others. Build it anyway; never give up.
People really need help but they may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway; never give up
Give the world the best you have and you may get kicked in the teeth. Give the world your best anyway; never give up.”
Jesus reminds us, our cue for action is taken from the nature of our discipleship and not from the wrong we have experienced.
Amen?
May Jesus bless each and every one of you.
2021
July 4
Our Call to Be Prophets
June 6
Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
May 30
Parish Gathering re Altar Enhancement
May 16
Ascension Sunday
May 2
Bearing Good Fruit
April 18
The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and Psalms
April 11
Divine Mercy Sunday
March 7
Fasting as a Pillar of Lent
February 21
Lent as a New Beginning
February 14
Lent Invitation from Fr. Lawrence
February 7
Preparing for Lent
January 17
Discerning God's Call
January 3
Epiphany
2020
December 20
Blessed Are You Among Women
December 6
Waiting in Joyful Hope
November 15
Living Our Talents
November 1
Updates from Father Lawrence: Moving back into the Church
October 17/18
Loving Your Neighbor at Election Time
October 10/11
The Heavenly Banquet
September 12/13
Forgiveness and Mercy
August 15/16
Hunger for the Eucharist
August 8/9
Trusting Faith in God
August 1/2
Invitation to 54 Day Rosary Novena
July 25/26
Gratitude from Fr. Lawrence on Installation
July 18/19
I Am Honored to Be Your Pastor
July 11/12
Enoying the Harvest
June 27/28
Living Our Baptism as Disciples
June 20/21
Welcoming Bishop Barber
June 13/14
Corpus Christi
June 6/7
An Invitation
May 23/24
Ascension
May 16/17
Alpha Is Coming
May 9/10
How Long, O Lord?
May 2/3
Engaging You amid 'Shelter in Place'
April 18/19
Divine Mercy Sunday
April 11/12
Easter Sunday
April 4/5
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord
March 28/29
The Raising of Lazarus
March 21/22
The Man Born Blind