7th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time focuses on love, mercy, and forgiveness. In one Gospel, Jesus says to love your enemies and pray for those who hurt you. Another Gospel tells of a paralyzed man whose sins are forgiven before he is healed. These stories show that God’s love goes beyond what we expect.

Paul writes that we are temples of the Holy Spirit and should live in a way that honors God. The readings from all three years remind us to care for others, even when it is hard. The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time calls us to live with kindness and mercy, just as God does with us.

Click on the appropriate year below to see resources, themes, homilies, and more. 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

Lookup Other Liturgical Dates in the Lectionary

The Bible is the full book of sacred Scripture. The Lectionary is used at Mass and contains selected readings from the Bible. These readings are chosen to match the Church calendar. Each Sunday, like the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, has its own set of readings. The Lectionary does not include every verse in the Bible, but it helps us hear the main stories and teachings throughout the year.

The Lectionary is arranged in cycles. Sundays follow a three-year cycle called Year A, Year B, and Year C. Each year focuses on a different Gospel. Weekday readings follow a two-year cycle. The Gospel of John is often read during Lent and Easter. In the United States, the New American Bible is the translation used for the readings at Mass. This makes sure that Catholics across the country hear the same Scriptures, including on the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time.

How to Determine the Liturgical Year

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

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time teaches us to love in a deeper way. In one Gospel, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who hurt us. He reminds us that God is kind to everyone, even to those who do wrong. We are called to show that same kind of love.

In another Gospel, a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus. Before healing him, Jesus forgives his sins. This shows that forgiveness is just as important as physical healing. Jesus wants to make us whole, both inside and out.

Paul reminds us that we are God’s temple. We are meant to live in a way that shows God’s love and mercy. It is not always easy, but it is what we are called to do.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to go beyond what feels fair or easy. It challenges us to love, forgive, and live with mercy.

The 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time calls us to love beyond what is comfortable. Can you forgive someone this week or show kindness to someone hard to love?

Read the Gospel and reflect on what stands out to you. Share your thoughts in the comment section.