The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C lead us to think about mercy and justice. This is a good time to think about the way we think and act toward each other. Are we merciful as God is merciful to us?
In the first reading David has the opportunity to kill Saul, but he does not do it. In the second reading Paul tells us we shall bear the image of Christ. In the gospel Jesus tells us we must love our enemies, forgive each other, and stop judging.
Daily Mass Readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- 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.
Themes for the Readings
- The mercy of God
- Forgiveness
- The cost of being judgemental
See some more extended themes and reflection questions for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C at the bottom of this post.
Resources for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Love Your Enemies - A Lesson Plan on Conversion of Heart
This Love Your Enemies lesson plan will help youth understand why God asks us to love our enemies. This is very difficult to do, but by changing hearts we can change the world.
Change My Heart Relay Race Game
This Change My Heart relay race game goes well with any topic relating to conversion of heart. It is easy to set up and run.
How to Pray for Somebody Who Has Hurt You
Today why not pray for someone who has hurt you? This is especially powerful if you are still harboring some resentment. Pray from your heart, but if you are having trouble getting started, try this prayer.
Love Your Enemies Activity Sheet
This Love Your Enemies activity sheet can be used for religious education or Children’s Liturgy of the Word. It is a fill in the blank sheet for this bible verse: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Praise the Goodness of God
This prayer is based on Psalm 103, which is the responsorial psalm for this Sunday. God knows us completely and shows us mercy. He does not hold our sins against us. Instead he saves us.
Why Must I Pray for My Enemies?
Jesus commanded us to love. The Catholic Church teaches that respecting life is more than just not hurting other people. We must actively work for peace and justice, even for those we are in conflict with.
Social Media Graphic for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Homilies and Reflections for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Four Reasons to Love Your Enemies
- To test the quality of our love.
- To learn about ourselves.
- Sometimes our enemies are right.
- To restore the relationship.
Davids and Sauls
Jesus wants us to be Davids, showing mercy to those who would harm us. In truth, we know we are Sauls because of our sinfulness and pride. Read more.
The Challenge of Discipleship
We are called to be more like God. God's love is immense and generous. In response to the love he has shown us, we must love others. Read more.
Turning the other cheek is not the withdrawal of the loser, but the action of one who has a greater inner strength, who defeats evil with good, who opens up a breach in the heart of the enemy, unmasking the absurdity of his hatred. It is dictated not by calculation, but by love.
Pope Francis
More Themes for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Jesus is telling us how to be faithful. But loving your enemies is not the way of our modern world. We thrive on competition. In the political sphere, there seems to be nothing more important than getting ahead. Culture wars rage on.
But think how different the world could be if we really loved our enemies? What if forgiveness and mercy spread like wildfire? This is the path which Jesus is calling us to. He also reminds us that we need forgiveness ourselves. We need it as much, if not more, than those we are holding grudges against.
This doesn't mean we should ignore the wounds others have given us. When we are wounded, it can take some time to heal. But we don't need to do this on our own. We can pray for God for healing. We can ask for the grace to let go of our need for revenge. We can pray for the desire to forgive the other person. Eventually, this may bring us to the point where we can even pray for the person who hurt us.
Reflection Questions
- When are some times when God has shown me mercy?
- Is there someone in my life whom I need to forgive?
- Do I need healing an mercy in some part of my life right now?
Do not judge, Christ tells us. How many times do we not only pass along gossip or rumours, but consider ourselves justified when we are harsh in our judgement of others. We can be indulgent with ourselves, but inflexible with others.
Pope Francis
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