This Week’s Gospel Message for Sunday, February 23rd is from Matthew 5:38-48.
“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, offer no resistance to one who is evil. . .You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . .For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’”
“‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’ (Matthew 5:38, from Exodus 21:24), known as the lex talionis, may seem like a defense of vengeance, but at the time it was considered a measured and moderate response. Lex talionis prohibits wanton revenge; Jesus prohibits revenge entirely. The last instruction Jesus gives, ‘Be perfect,’ sounds impossible. Only God is perfect. Our challenge is to allow the Holy Spirit to come to full—and perfect—expression in us.” Source: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2019-2020
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday James 3:13-18; Mark 9:14-29
Tuesday James 4:1-10; Mark 9:30-37
Wednesday Joel 2:12-18; 2 Cor 5:20—6:2; Matt 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday Deut 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25
Friday Isa 58:1-9a; Matt 9:14-15
Saturday Isa 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32