Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (2/19/23)

 2/19/2023

Write an expository homily for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time using these scripture passages: Leviticus 19:1-2,17-18; Psalms 103:1-2,3-4,8,10, 12-13; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48; while cross-referencing the Fathers of the Church, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and the writings of recent popes throughout.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In today's readings, we hear God calling us to a life of holiness and love. In the book of Leviticus, God instructs his people to be holy as he is holy. This commandment is reiterated in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus tells his followers to love their enemies and to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. How can we follow these commandments in our daily lives?

The answer lies in our relationship with God. As St. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians, we are temples of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of God dwells in us. Therefore, we must be careful how we build our lives. If we build our lives on a foundation of selfishness, envy, and anger, we will not be able to live up to God's call to holiness and love. But if we build our lives on a foundation of love, kindness, and mercy, we will be able to reflect the love of God to those around us.

One of the ways we can reflect God's love is by following the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. As the psalmist reminds us, the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We are called to reflect this love to those around us, especially to those who may be difficult to love. As Pope Francis has said, "We cannot be indifferent to the suffering of others, but must be ready to bear witness to the love of Christ, even to the point of martyrdom."

But how can we love our enemies and those who persecute us? Jesus tells us that we must not resist an evildoer, but instead turn the other cheek and offer the other also. This does not mean that we should passively accept evil, but that we should respond with love and mercy, rather than with anger and violence. As St. John Chrysostom reminds us, "Do not retaliate with evil, but overcome evil with good."

As we continue on our journey of faith, let us remember that we are called to be holy as God is holy, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let us build our lives on a foundation of love, and reflect the love of God to those around us, especially to those who may be difficult to love. Let us respond to evil with love and mercy, and overcome evil with good. May the Lord strengthen us in our journey, and guide us always in the path of holiness and love. Amen.

Write a Haiku on those Scripture passages.

Holiness commands,
Love your neighbor, even foes,
Be perfect like God.

Write a Limerick on those Scripture passages.

In Leviticus, we hear God's call,
To be holy and love one and all,
In Corinthians, we learn,
To build on love, not to spurn,
Jesus shows us to turn the other cheek, not to brawl.

Psalm 103 fills us with grace,
The Lord's love we cannot replace,
As we seek to be whole,
We offer our heart and soul,
And strive to reflect His love and His face.

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