7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A

Leviticus 19:1-2. 17-18

The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy. You shall not bear hatred for your brother or sister in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow citizen, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against any of your people. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”

Psalm 103: 1-4. 8. 10. 12-13

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

He pardons all your iniquities,

heals all your ills.

He redeems your life from destruction,

crowns you with kindness and compassion.

Merciful and gracious is the LORD,

slow to anger and abounding in kindness.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us,

nor does he requite us according to our crimes.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has he put our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

1 Corinthians 3: 16-23

Brothers and sisters: Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy. Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool, so as to become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God, for it is written: God catches the wise in their own ruses, and again: The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.

Matthew 5: 38-48

Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other one as well. If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand over your cloak as well. Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.

You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Questions:

- It is written in the book of Leviticus: “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.” – What are my thoughts when I hear this invitation from God: to be holy as He is holy? What characterizes God’s holiness, and how are we invited to imitate Him? How does He invite me, specifically, to participate in His holiness? Am I willing to respond to His invitation? How can I listen to God, to hear how He speaks to me in this commandment?

- It is written in the First Letter to the Corinthians: “So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.” – What is my responsibility in my fate, or in that of others? Who or what is the foundation on which I now build my life? How do I look toward the future, what are my plans? How are the words: “you belong to Christ, and Christ to God” related to the choices I make in steering my life?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “(…) love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” – What makes me see people as more or less likeable? How do I behave when I meet someone who awakens negative feelings in me, or who behaves in a problematic or even hostile manner to me or others? How do I think of that person, in his presence or absence? How do I or could I pray for such people?

Questions for children:

- It is written in the book of Leviticus: “Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.” – Is holiness reserved to those who have reached a certain age? Have I heard of children and young people who have been declared saints? Who are they? What characterizes the saints whether mature, elderly, or young people?

- It is written in the First Letter to the Corinthians: “So let no one boast about human beings, for everything belongs to you, Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or the present or the future: all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.” – What is my responsibility in my fate, or in that of others? How do I build my life now? Who or what is the foundation on which I now build my life? How do I imagine my future? How do I already start to build it? How is the relation to Christ, to God, part of my plans?

- Jesus said in the Gospel: “(…) love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father.” – What makes me see another child as friendly or hostile? How do I react to children who disturb or pester others? Can I sometimes understand why they act that way? What are the reactions which help to calm down the situation? What can make it worse? In my private prayers, do I pray for children with difficult behavior? What can I ask of God to help them, to help their relation with other children?