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Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

February 19, 2017

Gospel: Mt 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 (1) to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic (2), hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

"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 (3) 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. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans (4) do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

http://www.usccb.org

The difficult words

(1)Resistance is the force used to fight back or protect against something.

(2)A tunic is like a robe without sleeves.

(3)To persecute means to treat someone badly.

(4)Pagans are those who worship false gods, or no god at all.

This week’s spotlight

Love yourself

Leviticus 19:18 says: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "Some people think they are better than others, and perhaps love themselves too much. To really love others, however; we must love ourselves. Loving yourself means caring for your health, having compassion on your faults and flaws, and trusting in God's perfect love for you.

You are the temple of God

Saint Paul reminds us that God lives in us: our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit! Just as we respect the church as God's house, so must we respect our bodies and the bodies of others. Certain activities don't belong in a church, and certain behaviors don't belong in us. We must care for our bodies, clothing them modestly, and protecting them from abuse and careless damage. Our bodies are good. We can use them to praise God, and to serve the needs of those who are suffering.

Reflection

Love like the sunshine

Jesus teaches something incredible in today’s Gospel, something that no one else has ever taught. He tells us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who hurt us. This is a difficult teaching. When someone hits us, we usually want to hit right back. It doesn’t have to be that way. Jesus isn’t saying that we should be wimps who let others abuse us. He’s inviting us to love like God. Like the sun that shines on everything, we can love everyone. Like the rain that falls on the good and the bad, we can love even those who don’t love us back. This is the perfect love of the Father, and the Father wants to give us his power to love.

Discussion questions

1.What does Jesus teach you to do to someone who hits you?

2.According to Jesus how should we deal with our enemies?

3.What is the point that Jesus want to tell us through the Gospel today?

Praying after Communion

After receiving Holy Communion, you can say this prayer silently to yourself. If you have not yet received your First Communion, you can still say this prayer because of your desire to receive Jesus.

Father, through Jesus, in communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. Make me a beautiful temple for you to dwell in. Let me carry your love wherever I go.

This week…

Remember you are God's temple

Saint Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit dwells in us. We are called to be holy in everything we do. Each time you look in a mirror this week, take a moment to remember that you are God's temple.

Love your enemies

It's easy to love those who love us back. Jesus calls us to something more - to love even our enemies.This week, reach out to someone who has been difficult to love, or to someone who always seems to get left out of the group.

Word search

Source: usccb.org - Magnifikid - sermons4kids.com – rclblectionary.com –usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year A

February 12, 2017

Gospel: MT 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37

Jesus said to his disciples: "I tell you, unless your righteousness (1) surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (2), you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

"You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with brother will be liable to judgment.

"You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery (3). But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

"Again you have heard that it was said to your ancestors, Do not take a false oath (4), but make good to the Lord all that you vow. But I say to you, do not swear at all. Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,'and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the evil one."

http://www.usccb.org

The difficult words

(1)Righteousness is goodness and justice in God's sight.

(2)The scribes and Pharisees were snobs who taught people about Jewish laws, but rarely set a good example.

(3)To commit adultery means to be unfaithful to your husband or your wife.

(4)An oath is a special promise to speak the truth.

This week’s spotlight

Why is it so hard to be good?

Original sin mixes up our feelings. It can also make us think something is good when it is not. Even when we know something is right, it can be hard to do. We easily form bad habits that make it feel good to sin. Still, doing the right thing is not as hard as it seems; God promises to help us, and to forgive us when we fall.

God's law

God gives us freedom to choose the good and to avoid evil. Some laws come from human authorities to keep things under control. People can find ways to get around some human laws. God’s law is different; it always has consequences, because it comes from the way God made things and wants them to be. God wants to write his law in our hearts. He reveals it perfectly in Jesus. Jesus reminds us to live the commandments fully.

Reflection

Yes or no?

Sometimes it’s easier not to take a stand. It’s easier not to choose, not to promise, and not to get involved. We like to keep our options open, and to have the freedom to change our minds and to do what feels good in the moment. Sometimes this is a good thing, but sometimes we have to take a stand and do the right thing. For example, we can’t call someone our best friend, and then spread mean lies about that person. In the same way, we can’t call ourselves followers of Jesus, and then ignore God’s commandments. We can't be true friends of Jesus, unless we really want to live holy lives. Jesus wants us to make choices, not excuses: Let your “Yes” mean “Yes,” and your “No" mean “No." We have already said our “Yes" to God in baptism. Let’s live like we mean it!

Discussion questions

1.What does Jesus tell the disciples in today’s Gospel?

2.Is what Jesus teaching today the same with what happens in the world?

3.As followers of Jesus, which way will you choose to live?

Praying after Communion

Father, through Jesus, in communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. May this sharing in your body and blood give me the strength and wisdom to choose always what is right and good.

This week…

Know the commandments

The readings this week refer to God's commandments. Do you know the Ten Commandments? Try to memorize them this week. Show your love for God by loving his laws.

Make good choices

We make many choices each day, usually without even noticing. Grow in wisdom this week by paying close attention to your choices. What will you do with your time? How well will you listen to your parents and teachers? Choose what Jesus would choose!

Crossword Puzzle

Source: usccb.org - Magnifikid - sermons4kids.com – rclblectionary.com –usccb.org/bible/readings-audio.cfm