The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time calls for reflection on God’s mercy and our response to it. It emphasizes the importance of emulating God’s mercy in our interactions with others, underlining the twin themes of holiness and loving our neighbor. This day challenges us to consider how we seek and extend mercy, balancing it with justice. It’s a moment to introspect on whether our actions mirror the mercy God shows us. This theme is particularly relevant for discussions in homes, religious education, and youth ministries, inspiring ideas to cultivate a more merciful and just attitude in our communities and lives.
Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time. See how to determine the correct year.
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Mass Readings for 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
See resources, homilies, and more for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A readings here.
- 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.
Mass Readings for 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
See resources, homilies, and more for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B readings here.
- First Reading – Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24-25: God urges to forget the past and behold His new creations: paths in deserts, rivers in wastelands. Despite Israel’s neglect, He graciously chooses to erase their sins.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 41: Blessed are those who care for the weak, for the Lord protects and heals them. I seek God’s mercy for my sins, trusting in His everlasting support and presence.
- Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 1:18-22: Our message, as proclaimed by Silvanus, Timothy, and me, is consistent: in Jesus, all God’s promises are a resounding “yes.” God establishes, anoints us, and gives His Spirit as a guarantee.
- Gospel – Mark 2:1-12: In Capernaum, a crowded home prevented four men from bringing a paralyzed man to Jesus. They lowered him through the roof. Jesus, seeing their faith, forgave the man’s sins, causing scribes to question His authority. To demonstrate His power, Jesus healed the man, who walked away, leaving the crowd astonished and praising God.
Mass Readings for 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
See resources, homilies, and more for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C readings here.
- First Reading – 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23: David, finding Saul asleep, refuses to harm him, saying it’s wrong to strike the LORD’s anointed. He takes Saul’s spear and jug, proving his mercy and faithfulness from afar.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103: I praise the Lord and remember His kindness: forgiving sins, healing ailments, and saving from despair, showing endless mercy and love, far surpassing our shortcomings.
- Second Reading – 1 Corinthians 15:45-49: The first Adam was earthly, the last Adam (Christ) a life-giving spirit. We, once earthly, will transform to bear the likeness of the heavenly man.
- Gospel – Luke 6:27-38: Jesus instructed his disciples to love enemies, do good to haters, bless cursers, and pray for abusers. He advocated non-retaliation and generosity, emphasizing treating others as one wishes to be treated. He challenged them to love unconditionally, like God, who is kind to all. He urged against judgment and condemnation, promoting forgiveness and generosity, promising reciprocal blessings.
More About Lectionary Cycles
Learn more about the difference between a Bible and a Lectionary, how the Lectionary is arranged, and translations of the Bible used at Mass for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The liturgical cycle is a three-year sequence of A, B, and C.
- 2024 is Year B
- 2025 is Year C
- 2026 is Year A
- 2027 is Year B
- 2028 is Year C
- 2029 is Year A
- 2030 is Year B
- 2031 is Year C
- … and so on
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