Here are some of the themes in the readings for the 7th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – 1st Samuel 26:2,7-9,12-13,22-23
While trying to kill David, Saul is asleep and unattended when David comes upon him.
David spares Saul’s life, offering clear proof of his mercy.
Psalm – 103:1-4,8,10,12-13
“The Lord is kind and merciful.”
God, who is merciful and gracious, has compassion on us and pardons all our sins.
2nd Reading – 1st Corinthians 15:45-49
Paul contrasts the first man, Adam, with Jesus (the last Adam) to highlight the natural and the spiritual.
By becoming like us, Christ unites our nature to his and restores what was lost by sin.
Gospel – Luke 6:27-38
The “Golden Rule” (Do to others as you would have them do to you) is highlighted in this passage in a number of ways: love one’s enemies, share or lend with those in need, stop judging, forgive one another.
“For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
While being hunted by Saul, David prevents his men from harming the king in a cave. His restraint offers us a powerful example of how we repay evil with good.
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John the Baptist fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah as he preaches repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The Reason? To prepare the people to encounter Jesus Christ.
Jesus cites two passages of the Old Testament to teach what are the Great Commandments of loving God and Neighbor. As we put this love into practice, we will be drawn into an ever-increasing dynamic of communion, forgiveness and service.
Forgiveness is one of those commandments of Jesus that can sound lovely until we have to put it into practice…again and again. And yet forgiveness is the crucial key that unlocks our hard hearts and allows God’s grace and mercy to enter in.
Psalm 51 offers a powerful opportunity for repentance and conversion of heart. When we honestly acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness, the Lord’s grace can heal and renew us with new life.
Moses returns from the mountain and finds that the people are now worshipping a golden calf. After destroying the image, Moses intercedes on behalf of the people – asking God to pardon their sin.
Jesus heals a paralytic and at the same time forgives his sins. May we recognize the healing power of forgiveness in our lives as we seek to follow Christ as we put his commands into practice.
These fifty-five words in English form a powerful part of our prayer practice. Coupled with the injunction to forgive one another, the Lord’s Prayer directs us to draw close to our Father in Heaven as we unite with those around us.
Three Great Things 