7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

• First Reading – Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18: God commands the Israelites through Moses to be holy as He is, to avoid hatred, seek no revenge, bear no grudges, and love their neighbors as themselves.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: I praise the Lord, remembering His kindnesses: forgiving sins, healing diseases, and rescuing from despair, showing mercy and love far beyond our failings.
• Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23: You are a temple of God, housing His Spirit. Defiling this temple invites ruin. Worldly wisdom is folly; true wisdom is in God. Boast not in leaders, for all belong to Christ.
• Gospel –Matthew 5:38-48: Jesus teaches a radical love and non-resistance: instead of “an eye for an eye,” he urges turning the other cheek, giving more than what is asked, and going the extra mile. He instructs his disciples to love enemies and pray for persecutors, embodying God’s impartial kindness, challenging them to love universally as God does.

Lectionary Reference: 79

Upcoming dates: February 21, 2038

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focuses on love, holiness, and wisdom. The readings challenge people to love beyond what is easy and to seek God’s ways instead of the world’s ways.

• Call to Holiness: God tells His people to be holy as He is holy. Holiness means loving others and avoiding hatred and revenge.
• Love for Enemies: Jesus teaches that love should not be limited to friends. He calls His followers to love even those who hurt them.
• God’s Wisdom vs. Worldly Wisdom: The world values power and success, but God values humility and love. True wisdom comes from following God’s ways.
• Respect for Each Other: Paul reminds believers that they are God’s temple. They should treat each other with care and respect.
• Forgiveness Over Revenge: The old law allowed equal punishment, but Jesus teaches mercy. Instead of seeking revenge, He calls for forgiveness.
• Going Beyond What is Asked: Jesus tells His followers to give more than required. This shows generosity and kindness, even to those who demand too much.
• Belonging to Christ: Paul warns against putting faith in human leaders. All things belong to Christ, and He is the one to follow.

The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A call for love that goes beyond limits. They remind people to follow God’s wisdom, treat others well, and trust in Christ.

Why Must I Pray for My Enemies?

Praying for our enemies is not easy, but Jesus calls us to do it. Holding onto anger and resentment only harms our own hearts. When we pray for those who hurt us, we ask God to help us let go of bitterness. We also open the door for His grace to work in their lives. Love is more than just avoiding harm—it means seeking the good of others, even those who oppose us.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that God’s love is for everyone. He does not withhold kindness from those who do wrong. He calls us to do the same. Praying for our enemies does not mean we agree with them or excuse their actions. It means we trust God to bring healing and justice in His way. When we choose love over hate, we follow the example of Jesus.

Praying for Someone Who Has Hurt You

Praying for someone who has hurt you takes courage. It is natural to feel anger or sadness, but holding onto these feelings can weigh us down. When we pray, we ask God to help us let go of resentment. We may not feel ready to forgive, but we can start by asking for the strength to want to forgive. Even a simple prayer like this for the other person’s well-being can begin to heal our hearts.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that Jesus calls us to love our enemies. He showed this love on the cross when He prayed for those who crucified Him. Praying for someone who has hurt us does not mean we excuse their actions. It means we trust God to work in their life and in ours. When we choose prayer over anger, we take a step toward the peace that Jesus wants for us.

Love Your Enemies Activity Sheet

Teaching children to love their enemies can be difficult, but simple activities can help them understand. A fill-in-the-blank sheet encourages kids to think about kindness, forgiveness, and prayer. It gives them a chance to learn how Jesus wants us to treat others, even those who are unkind. This helps them see that love is more than just being nice to friends—it also means showing mercy to everyone.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A teaches that God’s love is for all people, both good and bad. Jesus calls us to love as He does, without limits. This activity sheet helps children see that love is a choice we make every day. It encourages them to follow Jesus’ example by choosing kindness over anger. When children learn this lesson early, they are more likely to carry it with them as they grow in faith.

Love Your Enemies – A Lesson Plan on Conversion of Heart

Teaching young people to love their enemies helps them grow in faith and kindness. It is easy to hold onto anger, but Jesus calls us to a different way. This lesson plan helps youth understand that forgiveness takes time and effort. It encourages them to take small steps toward letting go of resentment and choosing love instead.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that love is stronger than hate. Jesus teaches that forgiving and praying for others brings peace to our hearts. This lesson helps youth see that loving their enemies does not mean excusing bad behavior. It means trusting God and following Jesus’ example. When they learn to love even those who hurt them, they grow closer to Christ and experience true joy.

Psalm 103: Praise the Goodness of God

Psalm 103 is a song of praise that reminds us of God’s mercy and kindness. The psalmist thanks God for His many blessings, including forgiveness, healing, and love. He calls on his whole being to worship God, showing deep gratitude. This psalm teaches us to remember all the good things God has done and to trust in His care.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A highlights God’s call to love and forgive, and this psalm reminds us that He does the same for us. God does not hold onto our sins but removes them completely when we turn to Him. His mercy is endless, and His love lasts forever. The psalm also reminds us that our lives are short, but God’s care continues from generation to generation. This is a reminder to trust in Him and to live with gratitude for His kindness.

See a prayer of Gratitude and Peace based on Psalm 103

Love as God Loves

Bishop Barron explains that the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A teaches a kind of love that is unlike any other. Jesus tells His followers to turn the other cheek, love their enemies, and give without expecting anything in return. No philosopher or political leader has ever taught this way. Jesus is not just giving another moral rule—He is calling people to live as God lives. God’s love is not limited by human ideas of justice. He loves everyone, good and bad alike.

Jesus wants His followers to love the same way. This is not about following rules but about becoming more like God. The goal is not just to be good people but to share in God’s way of loving. Bishop Barron reminds us that this teaching is difficult, but it is also the path Jesus sets for those who truly want to follow Him.

How Do I Love My Enemies?

In his commentary for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jeff Cavins explains that Jesus calls His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who oppose them. Instead of seeking revenge or trying to protect our reputation, we are called to respond with love. Jesus showed this on the cross when He prayed for those who crucified Him. Cavins reminds us that love, not anger, is the key to changing hearts.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A also highlights that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Just as people once went to the temple for forgiveness and reconciliation, our lives should reflect God’s love. Cavins shares a story of a bishop falsely accused but who chose to pray for his accuser. This example reminds us that fighting in the world’s way will never win hearts. Instead, we must pray, forgive, and trust God’s plan.

Holy as God

In his commentary for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Scott Hahn explains that we are called to be holy as God is holy. Jesus shows us how by loving without limits, even when facing hatred and persecution. On the Cross, He prayed for His enemies and did not resist those who hurt Him. His example teaches that true holiness means overcoming evil with love.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A also reminds us that God does not treat us as we deserve but loves and forgives us instead. Through baptism, we become temples of the Holy Spirit and belong to Christ. Hahn explains that we are saved to share in God’s holiness. By imitating Jesus and loving as He loves, we glorify God in our daily lives.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A calls us to love in ways that are not always easy. Jesus challenges us to go beyond what feels natural and to show kindness even to those who hurt us. He calls us to forgive, to let go of revenge, and to trust in God’s way of love. These readings remind us that holiness is not just about avoiding sin but about actively choosing love, mercy, and forgiveness in our daily lives.

Love Your Enemies

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A challenges us to love in a way that feels unnatural. Jesus tells His followers not to seek revenge but to turn the other cheek. This goes against human instincts because we often want justice when we are wronged. But Jesus teaches that true love does not hold onto anger or seek to hurt others in return.

Loving our enemies does not mean allowing others to harm us. It means responding to hatred with kindness instead of more hatred. Jesus calls us to pray for those who hurt us, not because they deserve it, but because love is stronger than hate. When we pray for others, our hearts begin to change.

It is not easy to forgive and love those who have wronged us. But Jesus shows us that love is always the better choice. He loved even those who crucified Him. If we want to follow Him, we must try to love as He loves.

How to Forgive

The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A remind us that forgiveness is an important part of faith. Jesus calls us to forgive even when it is difficult. He does not say that this will be easy, but He does show us the way. He tells us to pray for those who hurt us. This helps soften our hearts and makes forgiveness possible.

Forgiveness does not mean pretending that nothing happened. It does not mean letting someone continue to harm us. Instead, it means letting go of anger and choosing not to seek revenge. It is a decision to trust God with justice and to free ourselves from bitterness.

Sometimes, forgiveness takes time. We may need to ask God to help us be willing to forgive. The more we pray and seek His help, the more we open our hearts to healing. Jesus understands what it means to be betrayed and hurt. He is ready to help us forgive, just as He forgave those who hurt Him.

Forgiving does not mean we must restore every broken relationship. Some situations require distance. But even if we never speak to the person again, we can still choose to forgive in our hearts. This brings peace and allows us to move forward.

Be Perfect?

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A ends with Jesus saying, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This can feel overwhelming. No one is perfect, so what does Jesus mean? He is not asking for impossible perfection. He is calling us to grow in love, mercy, and kindness.

To be perfect in this sense means to love as God loves. God does not love people based on what they deserve. He loves freely and fully. Jesus wants us to do the same. Instead of only loving those who are good to us, He tells us to love even our enemies.

This is a high calling, but Jesus gives us the strength to follow it. He does not expect us to change all at once. Growth takes time, and God is patient. Each step we take toward love and forgiveness brings us closer to the holiness Jesus calls us to.

God’s love is for everyone, and He asks us to share that love with others. Even when it is difficult, we can trust that He will help us. Trying to love like Him is the path to true peace and joy.

Following Jesus’ teaching is not always simple, but He gives us the grace to try. The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A invites us to reflect on how we love others, especially when it is difficult. Love and forgiveness are not just feelings but choices we make with God’s help. When we live this way, we grow closer to Him and to the people around us.

Prayer

Lord, help me to love as You love. Teach me to forgive those who have hurt me and to let go of anger. Give me the strength to choose kindness over revenge. Open my heart to see others as You see them. Fill me with Your peace so that I may share it with others. Amen.

• What makes it difficult to love your enemies?
• How can prayer help you to forgive someone?
• Have you ever experienced healing after choosing to forgive?
• Why do you think Jesus asks us to turn the other cheek?
• How does holding onto anger affect your heart and mind?
• What are some small ways you can show love to someone who is difficult to love?
• How does remembering that everyone is made in God’s image change how you see others?
• When have you seen love overcome hatred in your own life or in the world?
• What does it mean to be perfect as God is perfect?
• How can you take a step toward greater love and mercy this week?

The music selections for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reflect themes of love, mercy, and peace. Some songs focus on loving one another as God loves us. Others remind us to show kindness and forgiveness, even to those who hurt us. There are hymns about following Jesus and living out His call to holiness. Some songs speak of unity, bringing people together in faith. Others focus on trusting God’s mercy and striving for peace in our relationships. These songs help us reflect on Jesus’ teaching to love our enemies and to seek holiness in our daily lives.

• Can We Love? by Tom Booth
• Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney
• Christians, Let Us Love One Another by Claudia Foltz 
• For the Healing of the Nations by John F. Wade, Fred Kaan & Randall Debruyn
• Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go by Luke D. Rosen
• God of Wonders by Third Day
• How He Loves by David Crowder Band
• I Give You a New Commandment by Bob Hurd
• I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by Jadon Lavik
• In Christ There Is No East or West by William A. Dunkerley
• Let Your Love Come Down by Josh Blakesley
• Litany of Peace by Barbara Bridge
• Lord Make Me a Means of Your Peace by Marilla Ness
• Love by Ed Bolduc
• Love Goes On by Bernadette Farrell 
• Mercy by Lorraine Hess
• Prayer of St. Francis by Sebastian Temple, Dr. Martin Neary LVO & Michael Ward
• Psalm 103: The Lord Is Kind and Merciful by Ricky Manalo
• The Lord Is Kind by John Michael Talbot
• The Lord Is Kind and Merciful by Rick Modlin
• They’ll Know We Are Christians by Jars Of Clay
• Ubi Caritas by Bob Hurd & Pedro Rubalcava
• Where Charity and Love Abide by Trevor Thomson
• Where Charity and Love Prevail

Music directors and musicians can use these selections to guide the congregation in prayer and reflection. These songs reinforce the message of the readings and encourage people to live out their faith. If you have other music that fits the themes of the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, share your suggestions in the comments.

What date is the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The next date is Sunday February 21, 2038.
For other years see the links below:
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

What are the Mass readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday February 21, 2038 are:
First Reading – Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18: Call to Holiness and Love
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: God’s Merciful Love
Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23: You Are God’s Temple
Gospel –Matthew 5:38-48: Teaching on Love and Non-Resistance

What does it mean to be holy as God is holy?

It means we should love and forgive others as God does. Holiness is not about being perfect on our own but about trying to follow God’s ways in our daily lives.

Why does Jesus tell us to love our enemies?

Jesus wants us to love as God loves. If we only love those who are kind to us, we are not truly following Him.

How can we love our enemies?

We can pray for them, forgive them, and treat them with kindness. This does not mean we let them hurt us, but we choose not to hate them.

Why does the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on forgiveness?

The readings show that God forgives us even when we do not deserve it. We are called to do the same for others.

What does turning the other cheek mean?

It does not mean letting people abuse us. It means not seeking revenge and choosing peace instead of anger.

How can we avoid holding grudges?

We can pray for God’s help to let go of anger. Forgiveness takes time, but choosing to forgive frees us from bitterness.

Why does the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A say we are temples of the Holy Spirit?

God lives in us, so we should treat ourselves and others with respect. Our words and actions should reflect His love.

What does it mean that God sends rain on the just and unjust?

God does not show love only to good people. He loves everyone, and He wants us to do the same.

How does the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A help us in daily life?

It reminds us to be patient, forgiving, and kind, even when it is hard. It challenges us to love as God loves.

What does it mean to be perfect like God?

It means growing in love, mercy, and kindness. We will never be perfect, but we can always try to be more like Him.

How can we live out these teachings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

We can choose kindness over anger, forgive instead of holding grudges, and pray for those who hurt us. Even small acts of love make a difference.