BE HOLY - 7TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2/19/2023)

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
February 19, 2023

Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18
Psalm 103
1 Corinthians 3: 16-23
Matthew 5: 38-48

BE HOLY

God's word for us today is clear, direct, and challenging...to be holy, as the Lord God is holy. This particular passage occurs several times in the Old Testament and is repeated in the New Testament (cf. 1 Peter 1:15-16).

LEVITICUS

The Book of Leviticus is mainly composed of regulations for priests and levites. However, in chapters 19 and 20, there is a strong emphasis on being holy, as God is holy. The root word that is translated as holy (consecrate or sanctify) occurs 143 times in Leviticus.

What does it mean to be holy? Our reading today gives us several concrete examples: not bearing hatred; not taking revenge; not holding a grudge; loving one's neighbor as oneself. The Responsorial, Psalm 103, reminds us that "the Lord is merciful."

GOSPEL

Our gospel is once again taken from the Sermon on the Mount and continues the theme of love and forgiveness. Jesus pushes further than the Old Testament. We are commanded to "turn the other cheek" and "go the extra mile."

Whereas our first reading from Leviticus commands us to "be holy," Jesus in the gospel commands us to "be perfect." It is interesting that, whereas Matthew has "be perfect," the parallel passage in Luke's gospel says "be merciful." Is it possible that perhaps being merciful to those who hurt us is a way of also being perfect and holy?

1 CORINTHIANS

Today's second reading also emphasizes the theme of holiness. St. Paul tells us that we are the temple of God because the Spirit of God dwells in us. "For the temple of God, which you are, is holy."

In this letter, St. Paul has been trying to correct a situation of polarization in the Corinthian community. He says, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God..."

In other words, boasting is foolishness in the eyes of God. Paul makes it clear that, if we belong to Christ, everything belongs to us - so there is no need to boast.

ON YOUR MARK...

This is the last Sunday before Lent begins. Today's readings are very appropriate to launch us into the Lenten Season of reform and renewal. Just as human vices don't change much - pride, greed, lust, anger, gluttony, jealousy, laziness - so the remedies also remain the same - humility, charity, chastity, self-control, etc.

Today we take our places in the starting block and get ready to run the good race of Lent!