SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - FEB 20, 2022

THE 7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Forgiveness and patience - these are the virtues we are reminded about in today’s readings. In the face of abuse and persecution, we are called by Christ to act lovingly towards those who harm us, not out of revenge or anger. Forgiving and being patient are the key to exercising love to everyone.

READ THIS SUNDAY'S MESSAGE

When we decide to act out of vengeance and wrath, we are essentially trying to take into our own hands what is ultimately exclusive to the power of God. So often, we hear parables and fables that warn us against acting out of our emotions rather than our rationality. But we rarely hear stories about those who choose to do the right thing instead of acting emotionally. This is precisely what we get in today’s reading: David has the opportunity to kill his enemy Saul in his sleep. But David is guided by the principles of God’s sovereignty and refuses to take the life of the anointed king of Israel; Saul’s life is not David’s to take. It is the principle of acting justly in the eyes of the Lord that both protects David and rewards him in his future. This is not meant to be seen as a result of karma, but as a lesson that preserving what God Himself has instituted (in this case, the king of Israel) will allow His blessings to persist and multiply towards those who protect it. In order for David to do so, he had to momentarily set his emotions aside and forgive Saul. We are called to do the same towards our enemies.

FAMILIES, ACTIVATE!

Family activity to do at home: We are only a few weeks away from Lent. During Lent, our liturgies look a little different. Something noticeable that changes during those 40 days is that the Alleluia is no longer sung before the Gospel. Since we only have two more Sundays when we can sing this joyful acclamation, we should gather together and sing it as much as we can out of appreciation for the essential Easter message!