This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, February 19th 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, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. . .So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.’”
Reflection: “Anger and hatred can poison our hearts when they are left to fester. Some would say it’s better to release them, whether in the form of a violent action, a hurtful word, or some sort of revenge. But releasing these emotions does not overcome them and it can escalate the situation. Jesus calls his disciples – us – to cleanse our hearts of negative emotions. We hear him tell us to replace hatred with love. We are challenged to be countercultural.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Winter 2022-2023
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Sirach 1:1-10; Mark 9:14-29
Tuesday Sirach 2:1-11; Mark 9:30-37
Wednesday Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20—6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18
Thursday Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Luke 9:22-25
Friday Isaiah 58:1-9a; Matthew 9:14-15
Saturday Isaiah 58:9b-14; Luke 5:27-32
SOURCE: Living With Christ, February 2023