Be Holy, for I, the LORD, Your God, am Holy

 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time: February 19, 2023

Readings: Leviticus 19:1–2, 17–18; Psalm 103:1–4, 8, 10, 12–13; 1 Corinthians 3:16–23; Matthew 5:38–48

(Photo courtesy: Jean-Marc Arkelian)

To listen to my audio-video reflections via YouTube, please click here: https://youtu.be/rsbOidv2x3I

As we move closer to the Lenten Season, the liturgical readings on this Sunday invite us to ponder over a number of things, namely, forgiveness and reconciliation, love and mercy, holiness and steadfastness in the love of God. The Word of God emphasizes how essenential for us Christians to strive for holiness and imitate the example of Christ in our daily lives, particularly in our relationships with others.

1. Love and forgiveness wins over hatred and revenge

Matthew 5:38-48 is a well-known passage from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus challenges his followers to adopt a radical approach to love and forgiveness. In these verses, Jesus teaches that we should not seek revenge, but instead, we should turn the other cheek and love our enemies.

a. Revenge and anger are toxic: Jesus teaches us that revenge and anger only lead to more pain and suffering. When we seek revenge, we become trapped in a cycle of violence and negativity. It's essential to learn to let go of anger and resentment and cultivate a spirit of forgiveness.

b. Love your enemies: Loving our enemies is one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus. But it's also one of the most transformative. When we choose to love our enemies, we break down the barriers that divide us and create space for reconciliation and healing.

c. Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect: This phrase has often been interpreted as a call to moral perfectionism. However, it's better understood as an invitation to live in alignment with God's perfect love. As we grow in love and compassion, we become more like God, who is the source of all love.

d. The power of nonviolence: Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek is not a call to passivity or weakness. It's a call to the transformative power of nonviolence. When we refuse to retaliate, we open up space for dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation.

e. Grace and mercy: Ultimately, Jesus' teaching on love and forgiveness is rooted in the grace and mercy of God. As we seek to embody these teachings, we are invited to participate in God's redemptive work in the world.

Jesus challenges us to embrace a radical vision of love and forgiveness. It calls us to reject the toxic cycle of anger and revenge and to embrace the transformative power of nonviolence and reconciliation. As we seek to live out these teachings, we participate in God's mission of healing and renewal in the world.

2. Being the temples of the Holy Spirit

St Paul speaks to us very powerfully in 1 Corinthians 3:16-23 where he shows us importance of spiritual wisdom and the transformative power of the gospel. 

a. We are temples of the Holy Spirit: In verse 16, Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This means that we have a sacred responsibility to care for our physical and spiritual well-being. We must be mindful of how we treat our bodies and ensure that we are creating a space for the Spirit to dwell within us.

b. The wisdom of the world vs. the wisdom of God: In verses 18-20, Paul contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God. He warns us not to be deceived by the wisdom of this age, which is often superficial and fleeting. Instead, we should seek the deeper wisdom of God, which is found in the gospel of Christ.

c. All things belong to us: In verse 21, Paul reminds us that everything belongs to us in Christ. This means that we have access to all the spiritual blessings and resources that we need to live a full and abundant life. We should be confident in our identity as children of God and trust that he will provide for our every need.

d. We belong to Christ: In verse 23, Paul emphasizes that we belong to Christ. This means that our lives are not our own, but are instead devoted to serving and glorifying God. We must be willing to surrender our own desires and ambitions to the will of God and follow him wholeheartedly.

e. The power of the gospel: Throughout this passage, Paul emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel. It is through the message of the cross that we are saved and made new. We must never lose sight of the power of the gospel to transform our lives and the world around us.

In conclusion, the readings of today call us to a deeper understanding of spiritual life. We are reminded of the sacredness of our bodies, the importance of seeking God's wisdom, and the transformative power of the gospel. We must live our lives with a sense of purpose and identity as children of God, always seeking to glorify him in everything we do.

Questions for self-reflection:

1. How do I respond to people who wrong me? Do I tend to seek revenge or do I seek to forgive and reconcile?
2. Do I show compassion and kindness to everyone, including those who are difficult to love?
3. How do I live out the call to be perfect, as my heavenly Father is perfect? Do I seek to grow in holiness and strive to reflect God's character in my life?
4. How do I respond to those who disagree with me or hold different beliefs? Do I seek to understand and learn from them, or do I dismiss them and their opinions?
5. Am I willing to be a peacemaker, seeking to reconcile conflicts and promote understanding and unity?

I encourage you to take some time to prayerfully consider these questions and how you can apply the teachings of Jesus to your own life.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Meditating your Word O Lord, my heart is filled with gratitude for your love and compassion. You are the one who forgives all my sins, heals all my diseases, and redeems my life from the pit. You crown me with love and compassion and satisfy my desires with good things. Lord, I praise you for your mercy and grace, for your faithfulness and steadfast love. I thank you for your goodness and kindness, and for the many blessings you have bestowed upon me.

I pray that I may always remember your benefits, and never forget all the ways you have shown your love to me. May your love continue to transform me, and may I always live in the light of your truth. I commit myself to you, Lord, and pray that I may always be faithful to you, and may my life be a testimony to your goodness and grace. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

February 17, 2023